FEMA has developed a standardized suite of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) response capabilities for federal, state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders and planners to rapidly and effectively minimize loss of life, protect the environment and maintain the economy.
National Common Operating Platform for Responding to CBRN Hazards
The CBRNResponder Network is a single, secure platform for all chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident data-sharing and multi-hazard event management, integrating multiple federal assets and national-level policy guidance.
CBRNResponder includes ChemResponder for chemical incidents and RadResponder for radiological/nuclear incidents. BioResponder is in-development for biological incidents.
With RadResponder and ChemResponder, more than 1,500 organizations nationwide can view a common event space and robustly prepare for and respond to radiological or chemical threats.
CBRNResponder is sponsored by FEMA and our partners.
Key Planning Factors
Key planning documents help local and state planners identify key planning factors (KPF) that could substantially aid the recovery process by decreasing recovery timeline and costs, improving public health and safety and addressing major resource limitations and critical decisions.
KPF Guidance
Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Chemical Incident (2022)
New
The Chemical Key Planning Factors Guide is now also available in digital book format.
Planning Guidance for Response
Planning Framework for Chemical Incident Consequence Management 2022
Interactive Web Tools
Interactive, web-based strategic planning tools provide more realistic visualizations of hazardous material release behavior and impact estimates to help planners understand how an event may unfold, an event’s impact and possible response actions.
The Improvised Nuclear Device City Planner Resource (iCPR) and Chemical City Planner Resource (chemCPR) are currently in beta testing, available to planners via the Department of Energy's CMweb portal. A Biological CPR is in development.
Features include:
- Animations, maps, movies and editable reports
- Multiple scenarios for 60 U.S. cities
- Resource planning
- Animated fallout effects
- Maps for evacuation and shelter planning
- Interactive GIS display
Regional CBRN Coordinators
FEMA's Regional CBRN Coordinators operate out of each of FEMA’s 10 FEMA regional offices and serve as a point of contact for CBRN preparedness and incident response activities for all stakeholders and partners.
To identify and reach your local Regional CBRN Coordinator, contact your local FEMA Regional Office. You may also reach out to FEMA Headquarters for the Regional CBRN Coordinator Program Manager by sending an email to fema-cbrn-support@fema.dhs.gov.
Operational Specialists
You can also request the support of a Radiological Operations Support Specialist (ROSS), which are subject matter experts trained to assist emergency managers and first responders in dealing with the unique challenges presented in an IND incident or other large radiological emergencies using the Incident Command System structure. Similar support is being developed for chemical and biological incidents.
The ROSS can deploy as a single asset or strike team depending on the need by contacting fema-ross@fema.dhs.gov.
Visit the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear office page to learn about the team's mission and operations.
Additional FEMA Resources
National Response Framework
The CBRN Annexes to the National Response Framework provide guidance and serve as a reference for federal agency planning efforts.
- Oil/Chemical Incident Annex
- Biological Incident Annex
- Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex
- Incident Annex for Adversarial Threats
Technological Hazards Resource and Reference Library
View the Technological Hazards library for related reports, regulation, policy and guidance documents.
Community Lifelines
The Hazardous Materials Lifeline is part of the Community Lifelines Toolkit developed by FEMA to increase effectiveness in disaster operations and better respond to catastrophic incidents.
See All Community Lifelines