Fires prompt Kol Pol to shop for chemical, biological, nuclear suits

Kolkata: Recent fires, especially those in godowns, including the Anandapur fire that claimed 25 lives, has led Kolkata Police to realise the importance of its disaster management group to be adequately equipped to fight chemical and biological hazards and accordingly, the force has invited tenders for the supply and maintenance of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) equipment for the personnel.Experts said CBRN suits and equipment went far beyond fighting accidents and that the KP's modernisation plan was part of tackling modern-day terror threats.
The procurement list includes 50 complete CBRN sets, comprising a suit, mask, canister, gloves and overboots; one assorted CBRN identifier for solid, liquid and powder substances; 10 reusable CBRN suits; one decontamination kit; one portable decontamination shower system; 100 CBRN filters; 50 reusable CBRN masks; five area monitors and two multi-purpose handheld radiation analysers. The estimated cost is Rs 8 crore. These equipment, said experts, would help police detect hazards, protect personnel and conduct decontamination, which in turn, would reduce casualties among victims and responders, and secure a scene for forensic examination.The DMG is expected to use the gear in high-risk rescue operations, in which unknown substances, including industrial fires, may be present in places, like warehouses, and in suspected contamination events.The items on the purchase list include detection and identification tools intended to help first responders determine the nature of a substance, and area monitors designed to provide continuous readings within a certain perimeter. The handheld radiation analysers are aimed at enabling on-site screening and assessment during suspected radiological exposure or recovery operations.Security analysts said metropolitan police forces were increasingly being asked to prepare for low-probability but high-impact incidents, including deliberate releases of toxic, industrial chemicals, biological agents or radiological material. Kolkata Police did not specify a timeline for delivery of the objects.