CBRN is an acronym for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, and can include events that range from chemical spills to infectious diseases outbreaks. Ontario hospitals will be amongst the first to respond to the health implications of CBRN emergencies whether they be natural, accidental, or deliberate in nature. It is important to recognize that the influx of people requiring health services could exceed the capacity of a facility.
As part of Ontario’s comprehensive health emergency strategy, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced in January of 2005, that funding in the amount of $13.5 million over three years would go towards delivering a Hospital CBRN Emergency Preparedness Program. This program is now in its third and final funding year for purchase of supplies and equipment and delivery of training, after which the responsibility of maintaining supplies/equipment and training will be the responsibility of hospitals. For more information on this Program please click here.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the OHA has developed a CBRN Frequently Asked Questions document to respond to questions from a videoconference hosted on August 10, 2006. Please see the CBRN FAQs for further information regarding ongoing maintenance of the program and specifics about the training and supplies programs (member login required).