Project 88: Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in SEEE countries

Training Center in The Republic of Azerbaijan

Contacts

Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations
Email: akademiya@fhn.gov.az

Downloadable materials

P88 HANDBOOK_CBRNE SOPS GUIDELINES (Azerbaijan)
Training Materials AZE (archive)

Azerbaijan Confirms National Training Capacity through Third CBRN Emergency Medicine Course in Baku

Azerbaijan completed its third national CBRN emergency medicine training on 8–9 April 2026 in Baku, reinforcing national readiness and confirming the ability of Azerbaijani Master Trainers to deliver the programme consistently to a high standard under the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence Initiative.

Why consistency matters in CBRN emergency medicine

CBRN incidents can escalate quickly from routine industrial, medical, or transport-related situations into complex emergencies involving contamination, multiple casualties, and intense public concern. In such events, outcomes depend not only on plans and equipment, but also on the reliability of training, including whether responders and hospitals apply the same procedures, terminology, and decision-making processes under pressure. Repeated national delivery is therefore essential to quality assurance, helping ensure that knowledge is retained, standards are applied uniformly, and new staff can be trained without delays.

Third national training strengthens quality assurance and national ownership

The third National CBRN Emergency Medicine Training was delivered in Baku, with the involvement of national partners, including the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Medical Territorial Association (TABIB). The action was implemented under EU CBRN CoE Project 88, “Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries,” and funded by the European Union and is part of the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence Initiative.

Unlike earlier editions focused primarily on initial roll-out, the third national course served as a quality-control milestone. It assessed the national training team’s ability to conduct the programme consistently and independently, maintaining the same instructional quality, structure, and learning outcomes over time. The course, therefore, demonstrated not only continued engagement but also the maturity of Azerbaijan’s national training capacity.

Training that follows the full chain of response

The programme continued to address the needs of the full emergency medicine response chain. Sessions supported pre-hospital responders with core actions such as rapid assessment, triage, decontamination, and stabilisation. Hospital teams strengthened preparedness for receiving contaminated patients, applying contamination control measures, and coordinating with field services. Managers and institutional leaders focused on decision-making, resource allocation, and coordination mechanisms required during large-scale incidents. Para-medical and medical personnel further developed clinical understanding relevant to CBRN-related diagnosis, treatment, and patient management.

This whole-of-system approach supports interoperability, ensuring that procedures, roles, and communication pathways remain aligned from the incident scene to hospital care and strategic coordination.

Practical delivery and professional exchange

The course combined interactive instruction with practical application through exercises and scenario-based work. Participants tested how to apply procedures in realistic conditions, practiced cross-institution coordination, and strengthened decision-making under time pressure. In parallel, the training encouraged professional exchange among responders and healthcare staff, supporting a shared operational language and stronger working relationships between institutions.

Sustained impact for Azerbaijan and the wider region

Delivering a third national training consolidates Azerbaijan’s progress toward a sustainable CBRN emergency medicine training system. It demonstrates that the national team can maintain quality across repeated deliveries, a key requirement for long-term preparedness and for scaling training to wider audiences. The experience also contributes to regional resilience by strengthening a consistent approach to CBRN medical preparedness across South East and Eastern Europe.

Project background

EU CBRN CoE Project 88, “Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries,” supports partner countries in improving medical preparedness, response coordination, and sustainable training capacity for CBRN incidents through national-level training and institutional cooperation.

Azerbaijan Expands National CBRN Medical Readiness Through Second Training with EU CBRN CoE Support

Azerbaijan completed its second national CBRN emergency medicine training in Baku, improving coordination between responders, hospitals, and emergency managers under EU CBRN CoE support.

CBRN risk context

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents can arise from materials used in healthcare, industry, research, and transport. Although these materials are essential in daily life, accidents or misuse can quickly create complex emergencies involving contamination, mass casualties, and public concern. In these situations, effective response depends on how well emergency services, hospitals, and public authorities coordinate decisions, communication, and patient care. Strengthening preparedness is therefore essential to reduce harm, protect responders, and maintain continuity of medical services.

Azerbaijan advances its national CBRN medical training system

On 24–25 February 2026, in Baku, the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), in collaboration with the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), conducted the second National CBRN Emergency Medicine Training in Azerbaijan.

The training was delivered under EU CBRN CoE Project 88, “Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries,” with support from the European Commission’s CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence.

Led by Azerbaijani Master Trainers, this edition showcased Project 88’s capacity-building outcomes, demonstrating that national experts could deliver high-quality CBRN emergency medicine training independently. The second national training marked an important step in strengthening Azerbaijan’s coordinated system for CBRN medical emergencies and reinforced a repeatable approach that can be expanded over time.

Tailored learning across the full response chain

The two-day programme brought together a broad group of professionals, including first responders, hospital personnel, emergency managers, para-medical staff, and medical specialists. This multi-sector approach reflected the realities of CBRN incidents, where effective response depends on coordination across institutions and levels of responsibility.

The training was structured around target groups with specific learning objectives. First-line responders focused on pre-hospital priorities, including initial assessment, triage, decontamination, and patient stabilisation. Second-line responders concentrated on hospital-based management, including contamination control, patient care protocols, and coordination with field teams. Institutional managers addressed strategic oversight, resource allocation, and decision-making during large-scale incidents.

Para-medical personnel strengthened their skills in immediate field support, while medical personnel expanded their knowledge of diagnosis, treatment, and longer-term patient management in CBRN-related scenarios. This targeted structure helped participants deepen role-specific competencies while improving coordination across the national response system.

Practical exercises build confidence and interoperability

The training combined interactive lectures, practical sessions, and scenario-based simulations designed to mirror real emergency conditions. Through case studies and applied exercises, participants tested their ability to translate procedures into action, make rapid decisions, and coordinate under pressure.

These activities supported both technical learning and interagency cooperation. Participants exchanged experiences, compared approaches, and identified ways to improve collaboration among emergency responders, hospitals, and management authorities. By addressing both operational and institutional needs, the training contributed to a more integrated national response capability for incidents involving hazardous materials.

Sustainable progress and regional contribution

The successful delivery of Azerbaijan’s national training, following earlier capacity-building efforts, demonstrates growing national capability to sustain and expand CBRN emergency medicine training. It shows that Azerbaijan is strengthening both the institutional and human foundations needed for long-term preparedness.

Through this progress, Azerbaijan is also reinforcing its role as an active and capable partner within the regional network of Southeast and Eastern European countries, working to improve resilience against CBRN threats. The experience gained through this initiative provides a strong basis for future national development and regional cooperation in CBRN emergency medicine preparedness and response.

Project background

The training in Baku was delivered under EU CBRN CoE Project 88, “Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries.” The project supports partner countries in improving medical preparedness, response coordination, and sustainable training capacity for CBRN incidents through national-level training and institutional cooperation.

Azerbaijan Strengthens CBRN Medical Preparedness Through First National Training

Baku, Azerbaijan, September 25–26, 2025 — The Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), in collaboration with the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), successfully conducted the First National CBRN Emergency Medicine Training in Baku. This milestone event was held under the framework of the EU CBRN CoE Project 88 "Strengthening of CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response Capabilities in South East and Eastern European countries", funded by the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instrument. The training represents a major advancement in Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to develop a coordinated and sustainable national system for managing CBRN medical emergencies.

Building Capacity Through Train-the-Trainers Workshop

Prior to the national training, STCU organized a Train-the-Trainers (ToT) workshop, held in Baku from September 22 to 24, 2025. This preparatory course was designed to give the Azerbaijani national training team both the technical knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to operate safely in a CBRN environment and to effectively train their colleagues across the country. The ToT workshop laid the foundation for national ownership of CBRN training activities, ensuring that Azerbaijani trainers are fully equipped to deliver future courses independently. This approach reflects the core objective of Project 88—to build and transfer sustainable expertise to partner countries, enabling them to continue strengthening their emergency medical response capabilities beyond the life of the project.

Comprehensive National Training Program

The two-day National CBRN Emergency Medicine Training brought together a diverse group of professionals, including first responders, hospital personnel, emergency managers, and medical specialists. The program aimed to enhance coordination and technical proficiency at every level of the CBRN response chain. The training was structured around several target groups, each with specific learning objectives: First-Line CBRN Emergency Medicine Responders: Focused on pre-hospital management of CBRN incidents, including initial assessment, triage, decontamination, and stabilization of patients. Second-Line CBRN Responders: Concentrated on hospital-based management, equipping healthcare professionals with protocols for patient care, contamination control, and coordination with on-site responders. Institutional Managers: Received guidance on strategic oversight, resource allocation, and decision-making during large-scale CBRN incidents. Para-Medical Personnel: Strengthened their skills in providing immediate care and support in the field, particularly in pre-hospital settings. Medical Personnel: Expanded their understanding of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term patient management in CBRN-related scenarios.

Practical and Interactive Learning

The training combined interactive lectures, practical sessions, and scenario-based simulations that mirrored real-world emergencies. Participants engaged in case studies that tested their ability to apply theory to practice, make rapid decisions, and coordinate across institutions under pressure. By addressing the unique needs of each target group, the training contributed to building a robust and integrated national response system, capable of efficiently managing incidents involving hazardous materials. The sessions also encouraged collaboration and knowledge exchange among Azerbaijan’s CBRN emergency medicine professionals.

Sustainable Results and Future Impact

The successful delivery of both the Train-the-Trainers workshop and the first national training course marks an important achievement for Azerbaijan under Project 88. It demonstrates that the country is developing the institutional and human capacity necessary to sustain and expand its national training programs in CBRN medical preparedness. Through these efforts, Azerbaijan has strengthened its position as a proactive and capable partner within the regional network of South East and Eastern European countries working together to enhance resilience to CBRN threats. The experience gained through this initiative will serve as a strong foundation for future national and regional collaboration in the field of CBRN emergency medicine.