Guiding Document on cross-sectoral preparedness and response to biological and/or chemical terror attack

From 2021 to 2024, the Ministry of Health from Spain and Sciensano, the Health Institute of Belgium have been leading a work package on “Cross-sectoral collaboration: Security, Civil Protection and Health” within the Joint Action TERROR (https://www.jaterror.eu/), which aimed to strengthen the preparedness and response to biological or chemical terror attacks. Good practices and facilitating aspects on one hand, and challenges and blocking aspects on the other hand have been identified and collected throughout various activities proposed to the 16 participating countries across Europe.

These elements have been compiled and provided the evidence to produce the present guiding document. This guidance is structured in 4 main chapters, 8 suggested actions and 20 related recommendations.

1. Cross-sectoral emergency planning and governance (3 actions, 6 recommendations)

2. Cross-sectoral surveillance, joint risk assessment and information sharing (2 actions, 4 recommendations)

3. Preparedness and response capacities, training and exercises (2 actions, 6 recommendations)

4. Evaluation and corrective measures (1 action, 4 recommendations)