Evaluation of biohazard management of the Italian national fire brigade

Biohazards are non-conventional threats that are very difficult to manage. This is due to difficulties in the identification of biological agents that are responsible for the onset of a disease, which can be bacteria, viruses, fungus or toxins. In Italy, the first response system to biohazards is provided by the National Fire Brigade (NFB) (Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco - CNVVF). The aim of this work is to evaluate the procedures adopted by the NFB for the management of biohazards. This is done by comparing the statistics of NFB interventions in 2000-2010 for potential biohazard events, and chemical and radioactive risks. A series of solutions is then proposed to improve the NFB's national response system for biohazards.