CBRNE & Hazmat

The MHMI series is a three volume set of pdfs (with a video) comprised of recommendations for on-scene (prehospital), and hospital medical management of patients exposed during a hazardous materials incident. Vol I: Emergency Medical Services; Vol II: Hospital Emergency Departments; Vol III: Medical Management Guidelines.The MHMI series is a three volume set of pdfs (with a video) comprised of recommendations for on-scene (prehospital), and hospital medical management of patients exposed during a hazardous materials incident. [node:read-more:link]

(2005) Marine shipments of hazardous chemical cargo may be attractive terrorist targets because of their large volume and inherent toxicity or flammability. The Maritime Transportation Security Act and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code give the U.S. Coast Guard far-ranging authority over the security of hazardous marine shipping. The agency has developed port security plans addressing how to deploy federal, state, and local resources to prevent terrorist attacks. [node:read-more:link]

The North Korean foreign ministry is threaten yet again to resume nuclear and long-range missile tests, accusing the U.S. of having instigated a European condemnation within the UN Security Council of the latest weapons tests. The ministry says talks in Sweden last weekend by Pyongyang and Washington had collapsed because the U.S. offered no new proposals. [node:read-more:link]

The importance of civil nuclear power as a tool for geopolitical influence is highlighted in a new report released by the Helsinki-based European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. Citing case studies of situations in Belarus, Hungary and Finland, the report concludes, among other things, that “nuclear energy employed as a tool for any hostile intent has a different logic compared to oil and gas, for example, which have more explicit physical and logistical dependencies.” [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. Air Force officer who heads the Joint Artificial Intelligence Centre in the Department of Defense says there is “no stronger proponent” for AI within the DoD. However, as the U.S. begins a multi-billion-dollar modernization of its Nuclear Command, Control and Communications facilities, LGen Jack Shanahan says he pauses when AI is considered for NC3. [node:read-more:link]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he is opten to “small changes, additions or amendments” to his country’s 2015 nuclear agreement with six wetern powers if the U.S. lifts economic sanctions. President Donald Trump, immediate rejected the offer when both leaders were at United Nations headquarters in New York. [node:read-more:link]

Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, site of the worst accident at a U.S. nuclear power plant, has been completely shut down by its operator. Unit 2 at the site was destroyed by a meltdown in 1979 and Exelon Corp. of Chicago decided to shut down Unit 1, which was licensed to operate through 2034, after failing to secure financial support from the state government. [node:read-more:link]

The cost of dealing with “forever chemical” contamination leaching into watersheds from U.S. military facilities is expected to surpass a initial estimate of $2 billion. The admission comes as Congress prepares to discussion draft budget legislation. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. dislikes a French offer of a large line of credit designed to sustain negotiations on Iran winding down its nuclear program. Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, says the U.S. administration is “not looking to grant any exemptions” to its sanctions on Iran. [node:read-more:link]

European powers have been given two more months to save a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran but President Hassan Rouhani warns that he is preparing for further significant breaches of the agreement if the diplomatic initiative fails. France has offered nearly €14 billion in lines of credit if Iran become fully compliant with the deal. [node:read-more:link]

Tension is continuing to build between India and Pakistan after the latter’s defence minister suggested Indian may revoke its “no first use” policy with regard to nuclear weapons. Some experts say the risk of conflict has never been greater since both tested weapons in 1998. [node:read-more:link]

President Hassan Rouhani wants U.S. sactions gone as a precursor to any renewed negotiations about Iran’s nuclear and missiles programs. “Without this step, this . . . not be unlocked,” Rouhani said a day after President Donald Trump said he was open to a meeting under appropriate circumstances. [node:read-more:link]

A floating Russian nuclear power station is transiting the Arctic in what the Rosenergoatom agency says is a bid to improve electricity supplies in remote areas. Greenpeace says the project is a high-risk threat in a harsh environment. [node:read-more:link]

India’s defence minister, Rajnath Singh, is suggesting that his country could re-evaluate its “no first use of nuclear weapons” as Indian and Pakistan square off over the divided Kashmir region which abuts their northern borders. Singh says that while India had “strictly adhered” to the doctrine, “what happens in future depends on the circumstances.” [node:read-more:link]

A week after a Russian test of a “nuclear-fuelled” rocket ended in an explosion, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority says small amounts of radioactive iodine were detected at an air-sampling station. However, the levels were described a not harmful. [node:read-more:link]