1LSG, ASCOM, PA- CBRN RESPONSE TO COVID-19: Protecting the Force through Decontamination, Education and Training

CBRN RESPONSE TO COVID-19:

Protecting the Force through Decontamination, Education and Training

 

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                FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Platoon, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Battalion, ASCOM, PA has been mobilized to support the Philippine Army’s response on COVID-19 pandemic in the National Capital Region since 14 March 2020 to date. The role is to help in mitigating the spread of the infectious disease through protection of personnel, PA assets and conduct of trainings/lectures while the PA is active in the Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID).

 

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The Decontamination Operations

                 To support the PA’s effort, the combined initiatives of the CBRN Platoon, the MCD Platoon, the Grave Services Unit and the 1st Logistic Support Group yielded a systematic decontamination site inside the National Cemetery. In the open spaces of Section 22 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, FBMM, the convergence of CBRN and the 525th ECB’s Mass Casualty Decontamination (MCD) Platoons resulted to a whole day-whole week decontamination operations to sustain the operational tempo while ground forces are into enforcement of the Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) and in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operation. The decontamination operation applies to sanitize personnel and their belongings, vehicles and equipment from any risks involving COVID-19 prior to their return to quarters from any HADR Missions.

 

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                 From 14 March –30 April 2020, CBRN Platoon conducted decontamination to 1,028 personnel, 1,348 vehicles, 1,825 rifles, 1,252 bandoleers, 679 pistols, 249 radios, and 53 facilities while the MCD Platoon, 525ECB, has a total of 4,768 personnel received for decontamination/disinfection.

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The Training Initiatives

              The CBRN Platoon has also been active in CBRN Defense and Awareness lectures about the COVID-19 to numerous military and civilian personnel of PA units and offices. A total of nine (9) lectures were imparted to more or less 200 audiences. In addition, the Platoon has conducted a one (1) week CBRN Defense and Awareness Training for COVID-19 Response to 40 students from HASCOM, PA and 525ECB, PA.

 

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              The removal of risks from COVID19 contamination and the effort of educating personnel on CBRN Defense will ensure the protection of the ground forces and limits the spread of COVID-19. A well-informed and trained soldier contributes to a military force that can sustain operation in biological situation and ensures preparation that our soldiers will not contribute to the number of COVID-19 cases which can compromise our mission of protecting the people and securing the Land.

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             Personnel of CBRN Platoon, EODB, ASCOM, PA conducts lectures to military and civilian personnel re – CBRN defense and awareness.

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