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1.2 Introduction

CBRN terrorism entails the assumption or knowledge, based on intelligence or evidence, of actual or threatened dispersal of chemical, biological or radiological material, with deliberate criminal, malicious or murderous intent. Resilience to such events will require the development of robust emergency plans which facilitate an immediate and co-ordinated multi-agency response that will effectively address the human, physical, environmental and economic consequences.

In recognition that site stabilisation and clearance after a CBRN incident will have to be undertaken on a case by case basis, the guidance has been prepared to assist those responsible for planning and responding to incidents requiring a site clearance capability. It reflects the current Scottish legislative framework and brings together information on best practice for site clearance planning and response. ¹

The guidance is intended to inform and support work undertaken by Strategic Co-ordinating Groups ( SCGs), local authorities, front line responders and others who are likely to be involved in responding to a CBRN incident. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 ² and Preparing Scotland (Scottish Guidance on Preparing for Emergencies) ³ clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of agencies which have been defined as Category 1 or Category 2 responders. Essentially, this guidance aims to protect people and the environment in the event of a CBRN incident and provides a practical source of reference for responders to use in developing and testing site clearance plans, reflecting their assessment of the risk within their respective areas of expertise and responsibility.

(i) Key Principles

Site clearance does not begin when the incident is over. Strategic discussion on site clearance must start at a very early stage of the response when knowledge of the nature and potential extent of any contamination may not be available. Site clearance activities can range from immediate support directed at specific elements of the emergency response (e.g. saving of life, forensic recovery), planned or targeted operational support for the restoration of utilities and essential services, to full scale demolition and clearance of the site to allow for re-building, re-use, restoration or isolation, etc. This can be a complex and lengthy process which will place significant demands on the resources of all responding organisations and agencies.

Whatever the scale or nature of the incident there are a number of common principles that need to be considered when drawing up a site clearance plan. These are:

• incident notification;
• management structures which define the boundaries between "terrorist response" and "consequence management";
• the setting up and remit of the strategic, tactical and operational groups/teams to effectively deliver recovery;
• clear decision making framework;
• clear and understood lines of communication;
• meeting the requirements of a criminal law investigation;
• best practice site stabilisation and clearance principles;
• workload assessment, prioritisation, planning, and co-ordination;
• engagement and support for necessary skilled people and other resources;
• public health issues;
• waste management issues;
• site security issues;
• public and media expectation management;
• liaison with the community, their representatives and special interest groups; and
• the need for regular planning reviews taking account of critical success measurements, lessons learned, new technologies and other changing circumstances.

(ii) Objectives

The objective of this document is to provide guidance on site clearance in Scotland that will:

• inform effective site clearance planning;
• encourage key responders, both individually and collectively ( SCGs), to develop site clearance doctrine and tactics that will achieve effective response, coordination and recovery;
• identify an effective management framework and help clarify organisational roles and responsibilities;
• encourage the provision of consistent training, exercising and sharing of learning experiences to enhance skills and competencies at local and national levels;
• identify the strategic linkages between site clearance and other related activities during the response, recovery and post-recovery phases;
• identify some of the likely operational, contractual and regulatory issues to be addressed in developing a site clearance strategy, e.g. waste management;
• provide guidance on services and contractual arrangements to achieve best practice decontamination of the built and open environment;
• help to identify site clearance capability gaps in Scotland and make short term recommendations for rectifying these e.g. the development of mutual aid and partnership arrangements including interface with the private sector, while longer term arrangements are developed jointly between the Scottish Government and Whitehall; and
• clarify site clearance funding arrangements in respect of a CBRN incident in Scotland.

The Planning Process

The above process must be underpinned by an informed assessment of the likely hazards and risks and should encompass arrangements for enhancing the level of capability required by the scale or nature of any incident. SCGs are best placed to lead this process. Whilst the principal aim of this document is to assist planning for site clearance following a CBRN incident, the advice and guidance can generally be applied to a multi-agency response to any major HAZMAT incident. ⁴

THIS CHAPTER TO BE REVIEWED BY DECEMBER 2009

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