The second capacity-building program for firefighting personnel focusing on chemical emergency management organized by the National Authority for Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) was effectively executed from December 19 to 21, 2023, at the Light House Galley, Colombo & Fire and Rescue Training Academy in Wellawatta. Sixty-two training personnel, representing the Tri- forces, SL Police, Fire brigades, and the Chemicals Industry, participated in the program.

In the initial two days of the program, participants were briefed on the theoretical aspects of chemical emergency management by qualified lecturers specializing in the relevant field in Sri Lanka covering the topics of “ Role of first responders during a chemical emergency”, “Dust, Gas & Liquid explosion”, “Identification tools for chemical emergencies”, “Incident command system in chemical emergency management”, “Preventing chemical emergencies through industrial case studies”, “Heat stress management” and “Error and error management”.

On the third day of the program, participants engaged in a case study analysis within divided groups and conducted a simulation drill at the Fire and Rescue Academy in Wellawatta. The program concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony, graced by the presence of Mrs. Badrani Jayawardena, Municipal Commissioner of Colombo, and the Divisional Fire Officer of Colombo.