Government Decontamination Service

James Webster

GDS Capabilities Officer

Introduction

• Overview of GDS• Policy Drivers• Advice and Guidance• GDS Framework Suppliers• Experience

Overview of GDS

• Established in 2005 as a cross-government resource capable of offering advice, guidance and access to practical capability (principally through a Framework of Specialist Suppliers from the private sector) in the event of a CBRN or major HazMat incident.

• Remit covers the decontamination of the built and open environment, infrastructure and transport assets

• In April 2009, GDS merged with several other government agencies to form part of Fera (The Food and Environment Research Agency)

Policy Driver

GDS RemitRemit

• Provide advice, guidance and support to those responsible for dealing with the consequences of an accidental or deliberate release of CBRN and hazardous materials;

• Enable quick access to an Framework of specialist suppliers able to offer expert decontamination and related services in response to a CBRN or major HazMat incident;

• Advise the Government on the national capability for the decontamination of buildings, infrastructure, transport assets and the open environment.

Operational capability

• Facilitate the rapid decontamination of CBRN releases using private-sector capability

• On call 24/7 to provide rapid access to GDS expertise and Framework services

• Provide expert scientific and technical advice to relevant groups, including Science and Technical Advice Cell (STAC) and Recovery Co-ordination Group (RCG), on the most appropriate decontamination methods

Guidance

Strategic National Guidance was published in January 2011 and updated in July 2012. It can be downloaded using the following link:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/strategic-national-guidance-decontamination-buildings-infrastructure-and-open-envir

Quick Guides are published on the GDS pages of the Fera website:

http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/environment/governmentDecontaminationService/publications/index.cfm

GDS Framework

GDS Framework

Developing the Service

Developing the Service

Polonium Incident, London 2006

Anthrax Incident, Scotland

Chemicals in Stratford

• 17 Radioactive sources discovered• 100+ Chemicals (some unidentified)

Any Questions?

GDS General Enquiries Line:

08458 501 323

http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/gds