What should be the immediate focus after a CBRN attack?

In the event of a CBRN attack, the immediate focus should be on post-attack decontamination measures. This is crucial for several reasons. First, following a CBRN incident, there is usually a risk of contamination that can pose serious health hazards to individuals who have been exposed or come into contact with contaminated areas. Therefore, implementing decontamination procedures is vital to protect both first responders and civilians from harmful effects.

Additionally, addressing decontamination helps to create a safe environment for conducting further operations, such as recovery, intelligence gathering, and establishing communication channels. Without effective decontamination, any subsequent actions might expose personnel to ongoing risks from hazardous materials, complicating the response efforts.

While establishing communication channels, activating a CBRN cell, and recovery are important components of the overall response, they become more effective and meaningful only after ensuring safety through decontamination. This sequential approach prioritizes immediate threats to health and safety and allows for a more organized and efficient response to the aftermath of an attack.