The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Office prepares and supports our nation’s response to and recovery from CBRN events. These events may range from weapon of mass destruction incidents, to spills or fires involving hazardous materials (HAZMATs), to accidents involving radiological/nuclear materials. The CBRN Office researches, develops, builds, manages, and advises FEMA’s CBRN risk-based strategies, policies, plans, operations, tools, training, exercises, partnerships, and outreach to mitigate the risks and consequences of CBRN events. The office provides a comprehensive, standardized suite of 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. While most office programs and capabilities span all CBRN hazards, the Nuclear Incident Response Team (NIRT) and Radiological Operations Support Specialist (ROSS) are radiological/nuclear hazard specific.
