Security Solutions for the Emergence of Primarily Biological Threats
What makes biological threats so dangerous? It is primarily the "invisibility" of biological hazards that can delay necessary protective measures and fuel public fear. A novel virus, for example, that spreads through airborne transmission can lead to an exponential increase in the number of infected individuals until appropriate quarantine or lockdown measures are implemented and diagnostic tests, therapeutics, or effective vaccinations become available.
Effective protection against biological hazards is based on the pillars of knowledge, prevention, equipment, and training. A lack of general knowledge about biological threats can significantly increase the damage caused. Therefore, professional exchange and international networking play a key role. Initiatives to increase the biosecurity of facilities working with dangerous pathogens, as well as equipping critical infrastructures and institutions for early response to a biological threat, are important precautionary measures.
Goals
CBRN.ZONE aims to support system-relevant institutions and organizations in optimizing their security standards and to offer tailored, single-source solutions. The team consists of an expert network covering medicine, molecular biomedicine, CBRN defense, firefighting, as well as hygiene and research. The consultants come from academic, civilian, and military organizations.
Scenarios and Requirements
Biological hazards are diverse and require different solution approaches.
Scenario 1: If it is a suspected case of a high-risk infection (e.g., Ebola) of a single person, existing HIT (High Infection Transport) teams can quickly isolate the person and transport them safely to the respective specialized clinic.
Scenario 2: The situation develops differently with the occurrence of an unclear high infection that spreads rapidly exponentially and causes life-threatening symptoms in multiple individuals. It is irrelevant whether this is a new pandemic virus or a deliberately induced release of highly pathogenic germs (e.g., smallpox). The incubation period usually lasts several days to weeks and is insidious. People will increasingly seek hospitals, quickly overwhelming available resources. In such a case, it is crucial to quickly create mobile capacities to establish spatial structures, conduct triage, ensure isolation of infected individuals, and secure medical services in the short to medium term. The focus is on protecting medical facilities, minimizing further infections, and expanding mobile vaccination centers. Protection at airports, border crossings, bus and train stations must also not be forgotten, as many people will want to leave the country in crisis situations.
Scenario 3: A terrorist or warlike attack with biotoxins, such as anthrax or other biological warfare agents, usually occurs in crowded places to publicly spread fear and panic. Potential danger zones include airports, train stations, subway stations, public transportation, event venues, or city centers. For this scenario, mobile capacities are needed that can be deployed quickly at the scene. In addition to triage, isolation, and medical treatment options, decontamination tents and a mobile laboratory are also required to quickly analyze biological or chemical substances.
Scenario 4: Last but not least, it should be mentioned that refugee flows and illegal migration can also increase the risk of pandemics. Mobile reception centers with isolation tents, decontamination showers, and field hospitals are important for containing biological hazards of viral and bacterial origin at national borders.
Local and Mobile Solutions
Protection against biological hazards can be designed in the form of standardized, external, mobile structures, as internal tailored solutions, or as a hybrid of both. The capacities mentioned include the following equipment:
- Personal protective equipment (respiratory protection, protective suits, hand and foot protection, etc.)
- Mobile tents and tent systems (reception, triage, isolation ward, field hospital, command center, etc.)
- Decontamination showers or tents (for people and equipment)
- Isolator boxes and solutions (for rapid person and hospital bed isolation)
- Bio-boxes BSL 3/4 ( as mobile isolation intensive care units)
- Medical equipment and medicines
- Mobile laboratories (for initial analysis of pollutants and biotoxins)
- Detectors and rapid tests (spectrometers, rapid tests for biotoxins, chemical warfare agent detection, explosive detectors, etc.)
- IT and communication equipment
Regarding personnel resources, the following professional groups are needed:
- Leadership personnel
- Medical personnel (doctors, paramedics, nurses)
- Psychological personnel
- Technical personnel
- Administrative personnel
- Security personnel
- Personnel with special qualifications (disinfectors, drivers, IT specialists, etc.)
If protective measures are to be maintained in the medium or long term, the following needs, among others, must also be included in the planning:
- Energy supply
- Ventilation, heating, air conditioning
- Food supply
- Waste and wastewater management
- Storage facilities
- Mortuary management
- Logistics
- Traffic concept
- Recruitment, replenishment, and training of personnel
Depending on the specific needs, all or only parts of these equipment and personnel resources will be required. The "Biodefence Modular Concept (BMC)" regulates these needs based on the initial situation, enabling a rapid response to biological threat situations with the possibility of an adapted modular expansion of protective measures.