Bridging the gaps in CBRN mass decontamination training in Greece: addressing vulnerable populations

Greece’s preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) mass decontamination remains fragmented despite participation in EU and NATO frameworks. This study combines benchmarking, SWOT analysis, and gap-intensity scoring to identify systemic deficiencies in the national training ecosystem. Results highlight major shortcomings: the absence of a unified curriculum, limited simulation fidelity, weak interagency coordination, omission of psychological resilience training, and inadequate provisions for vulnerable populations. Gap-intensity analysis identified Accessibility and Inclusion, Curriculum Content, and Evaluation and Assessment as the most prominently documented gaps within policy and training frameworks. Drawing on international case studies from the United Kingdom, Israel, and Japan, the paper proposes an actionable roadmap: establishing a modular national curriculum, integrating vulnerable populations across all protocols, adopting VR/AR simulation, institutionalizing joint civil–military–health exercises, launching public education campaigns, and creating a central evaluation mechanism. Implementing these measures would transform Greece from reactive compliance to proactive preparedness, strengthen NATO/EU interoperability, and reinforce public trust during high-impact emergencies.