The main tasks are to prepare medical guidelines, to conduct training sessions, and to carry out medical and technical intelligence assessments. This is done in order to have on-going biological threat surveillance and to enhance biological security.
The task is to coordinate relevant preparedness activities within research and development and to research and test in relation to warfare agents and methods (weaponisation, weapons effects, inactivation, etc.). The analytical tasks also include threat assessments of scientific, technical, and general character. The assessments are an integral part of the CBB's modelling capability used in relation to the on-going preparedness activities, and as a prognostic tool in relation to operational decision support.
CBB’s responsibility is to ensure a 24-hour preparedness capability (including a Field Investigation Team), to conduct training and education both internally and with other agencies (Police, The Emergency Management Agency, the military, etc.), to develop and maintain concepts of operations under different circumstances, and to maintain the necessary equipment. At the operational level an important element is the special expertise in dispersal analysis. CBB is using several models to support the decision making.
The CBB preparedness organisation consists of an on-call Senior Medical Doctor with specialisation in microbiology and a Field Investigation Team. The tasks of the Field Investigation Team are to collect information, collect samples, to conduct rapid laboratory analysis, and to provide expert medical advice in order to identify biological warfare agents, verification of dispersion area, and clinical advice on immediate actions to be taken including medical countermeasures. Furthermore, foreign specialist laboratories with BSL 4-facilities are included in the 24-hour preparedness capability.
When a biological terror incident is suspected, whether it is a Type 1-incident (primary attack) or a Type 2-incident (disease outbreak), the Centre conducts an intelligence-based threat assessment as a basis for the investigational effort and a coordinating group is established at the Centre. The same procedure is carried out for accidental releases of dangerous biological agents (Type 3-incidents), but instead of a threat assessment a risk analysis is conducted.
As with any other service from Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the investigation is conducted under medical direction and responsibility. The investigation makes use of a number of tools which can be both internal capabilities at CBB or SSI, and external capabilities, including domestic and foreign authorities and agencies.
CBB reports all investigation results and conclusions to the Police. The report contains an overall conclusion of the investigation and provides relevant expert advice. As part of the implementation of countermeasures, CBB has access to SSI's emergency vaccines and other medicaments.