Ist Level Master Class Chemical Warfare Agents Live Agent Module
07.21.2014
A Live-Agent Training Module with Chemical Warfare Agents was held at VVU in Vyškov
(Czech Republic) from July 7th to July 9th 2014, for the students of the I Level International
Master Course in Protection Against CBRN events. The academic course, organized and run
by Hotzone Solutions Group, took place at Voyenský Výzkumný Ústav (VVU), being one
of the few specialized facilities in Europe where practical field activities with real chemical
warfare agents are allowed.
The aim of the module was to provide participants with competencies in analyzing, planning
and implementing basic response to possible incidents (including any accident, criminal or
terrorist activity) involving Chemical Warfare Agents.
In particular, the course consisted of in three elements:
• Lectures on CWAs, detection and protective equipment;
• Sampling and analysis, both outdoor and in the laboratory, of chemical warfare agents
using simulants;
• Sampling and analysis, both in laboratory (indoor) and at the Charlie Area
(outdoor) with real samples of Mustard (HD), Sarin (GB) and VX.
The Hotzone Solutions instructors demonstrated best practices and the correct use of the
protective, detection and decontamination equipment.
Lectures were given inter alia by Mr. Dieter Rothbacher, co-owner and director of operations
of Hotzone Solutions Group, a consulting company based in Netherlands. Mr. Rothbacher
is a former inspector, Team Leader, and Head of the Training Unit at the Organization for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; he also took part in U.N. weapons inspection and
destruction activities in Iraq.
All the practical activities were carried out safely, according to internationally recognized
safety standards.