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USMC Chemical-Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF)

Photo: A simulated terrorist biological weapons attack from a recent CBIRF exercise.

Hot Link

USMC CBIRF Official Home Page

Note: This site is down from time to time.

Unit Profile

The USMC's Command Planning Guidance (CPG) called for the development of a strategic organization -- manned, trained, and equipped -- to manage the consequence of the growing chemical- biological threat. The Chemical, Biological, Incident Response Force (CBIRF), activated in April of 1996, grew from that initiative.  DOD currently has two units with bioterrorism response capabilities, the Army's Technical Escort Unit (TEU) and the Marine Corps' Chemical-Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF).  CBIRF is a task organized, self sustaining unit consisting of approximately 375 Marines and sailors from a variety of Military Occupational Specialties. CBIRF is most effective when forward deployed in response to a credible threat or to protect events of national significance. CBIRF elements are capable of chemical/biological agent detection and identification, hazard prediction, advanced life saving and triage, evacuation of victims from contaminated areas, decontamination, incident site management and security as authorized. CBIRF is a highly trained consequence management force tailored for short notice response to terrorist initiated chemical and biological incidents. This unit owns and maintains commercially available radiological, biological and chemical defense equipment, general support equipment and medical equipment.

Recent Deployments

Photo: A DARPA-produced prototype TIA-P medical application used by CBIRF during the President's G-7 meeting in Denver, Colorado in 1997.

In response to the threat of weapons of mass destruction against American interests, the Marine Corps Chemical-Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) provided support for national events during 1997— beginning with a deployment to Washington, D.C., for the second inauguration of President Clinton. The CBIRF, consisting of both Marine and Navy personnel, was positioned to quickly respond to a terrorist chemical or biological attack. Functioning within the Federal Response Plan and working with the First Army’s Response Task Force, the CBIRF developed a helpful relationship with other first responders. In addition, the CBIRF supported the Summit of Eight in Denver, Colorado during the summer of 1997.

Web Sites

CBIRF Families Page

CBIRF Equipment

Mobile Medic Mentoring Vehicle (M3V) - Program Notes and Upgrade

CBIRF Rebreather AIM Training Application

CBIRF Level A Suit Advanced Interactive Multimedia Training System

Meteorological Information and Dispersion Assessment System Anti - Terrorism ( MIDAS-AT ) - MIDAS-AT is a significant enhancement of MIDAS, a commercial system currently in use at over 60 nuclear power plants and industrial chemical facilities worldwide.

MOBILABS - In June 1998, EAI delivered two MOBILABs to the US Marine Corps at Camp Lejune, NC. The Ford E-350 diesel vans, purchased by the Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) are equipped with onboard, real-time analytical systems to provide rapid detection and identification of CB agents in response to terrorist attacks.  The vans were selected and configured to fit into a C-130 aircraft for rapid deployment. 

Articles

Marine Corps' CBIRF to Conduct Exercise Southern Response at UNCW's Trask Coliseum

Hanford Fire Department Takes on New Responsibilities

On May 4, 1997, the US Public Health Service National Medical Response Team-1 and the US Marine Corps Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force held a Chemical/Biological Incident Response Demonstration in Tampa Florida.

The WMD/Terrorist Threat from Iraq - By Steve Macko, ERRI Risk Analyst

CBIRF Gets taste of 'Big Apple' during exercise

Related Sites

Chemical and Biological Defense Information Analysis Center (CBIAC)

FAS's Chemical and Biological Weapons Program

DURING URBAN WARRIOR '99 (AWE) Monterey (Mar. 12, 1999) Members of the U.S. Marine Corps 15th Heavy Guns Platoon unload a CH-53. Urban Warrior is an experimental effort to prepare U.S. Marines for the urban battlespaces of the 21st century. It focuses on the development of new operational concepts, tactics, techniques, procedures and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Eric Logsdon)