Defra CBRN Emergencies (formerly the UK Government Decontamination Service)

From April 2018 the advice, guidance and access to capability to recover from a CBRN and major hazmat incident is provided from Defra’s CBRN Emergencies team and the GDS branding ended.

We provide guidance to the responsible authorities on the decontamination of buildings, infrastructure and open environment exposed to CBRN materials.

We also plan and arrange for decontamination operations to be available to the responsible authorities should the need arise.

CBRN emergency contact

For a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) or major HazMat incident call the duty officer on 03300 416565 (24/7availability).

When activating in an emergency, you will need to provide the following information:

• your name, organisation and contact details
• nature of incident
• location of incident
• support required
• if known, the locations of the Recovery Co-ordinating Group (RCG), the Science and Technical Advice Cell (STAC), and the Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG)

On request we will attend RCG, STAC and SCG.

If the above number is busy please call the Defra Duty Room on 0345 051 8486.

Useful guides

We have published a detailed guide for contracting authorities who need to find approved specialist providers for decontamination services in relation to a CBRN or major HazMat incidents.

Related documents

Documents in current use include:

• Emergency preparedness – Cabinet Office
• Emergency Response and Recovery – Cabinet Office
• Protecting Against Terrorism– Cabinet Office, Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and National security and intelligence
• Support for Recovery from Exceptional Emergencies – Department for Communities and Local Government
• The release of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances or material: guidance for local authorities – Cabinet Office
• Precautions to minimise effects of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear event on buildings and infrastructure - Department for Communities and Local Government
• UK recovery handbook for radiation incidents (and associated publications) - Public Health England
• UK recovery handbook for chemical incidents(and associated publications) - Public Health England
• UK recovery handbook for biological incidents(and associated publications) - Public Health England
• Nuclear emergency planning: consolidated guidance – Department of Energy and Climate Change
• Emergency responder interoperability: lexicon – Cabinet Office

Contact

Contact us by emailing CBRNRecovery@defra.gov.uk

Defra CBRN Emergencies Team
MOD Stafford
Beaconside
Stafford
ST18 0AQ