Research project The purpose of CELECTIVE is to strengthen the capacity of the European Union and its member states in preventing and mitigating CBRNE risks before they occur. This will be accomplished by developing a consolidated training programme for law enforcement officers, special intervention groups, and other stakeholders involved with the protection of critical infrastructure.
The long term goal of the project is to foster cross-sector and cross-border cooperation and promote harmonization of capabilities across the European Union in the event of CBRNE incidents.
Because CBRNE-incidents are relatively rare, first responders have limited experience and expertise addressing them, which increases the threat in the event of an actual incident. Additionally, factors such as time and financial resources limit what training initiatives are available to most law enforcement personnel. CELECTIVE will develop and provide effective, flexible, and resource efficient training opportunities in CBRNE preparedness in the pre-event phase. The project is a first step towards standardizing such training and the materials developed will be tested in the three member states (Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic) at civilian and military training facilities, and evaluated and adjusted according to national needs.
Implementation
The project's educational approach is based on a well-known pedagogical concept of learning by reflecting through a three-step method: theoretical knowledge, table-top exercise, and field exercise. Features including an interactive e-learning platform, adaptable teaching templates, and instructor guides will also be incorporated.
The CELECTIVE consortium consists of four partners who complement each other with the specific competencies needed for the success of the project.
The European CBRNE Center at Umeå University has experience working in triple-helix constellations for the benefit of the security sector. Of specific relevance for this particular project is the university's police education programme, which is one of only three in the country.
The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) is the main national resource of CBRNE research and development, with extensive experience and proven excellence in CBRN non-proliferation, risk prevention and mitigation.
National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection (SUJCHBO) provides technical support for national inspections in the Czech Republic regarding the prohibition of CBRN weapons. The institute provides expertise to the national integrated rescue system in the field and has experience providing training courses for CBRN specialists on national as well as international practices.
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is a not-for-profit, independent, applied R&D organization in the Netherlands. TNO departments include Defence, Safety and Security, CBRN Protection, and Energetic Materials. The organization handles several aspects of CBRNE defence and counterterrorism.
Results
The project will result in increased understanding and knowledge of needs regarding CBRNE training for law enforcement, as well as increased understanding and knowledge of current training programmes and initiatives. The project will also result in a training concept/programme and tools including an e-learning platform, table-top exercises, and field training exercises. The project will also result in adapted evaluation parameters and methods, along with evaluation reports following each training event.
