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Frequently asked questions

Setting up the Government Decontamination Service

  • Q1. Why was the GDS set up?

    • A1. GDS was set up to help support responsible authorities' ability to decontaminate the built and open environment following a deliberate act involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials, or an accidental release of hazardous materials (HAZMAT). Government also recognised that it would not be cost-effective for each responsible authority to maintain the level of expertise needed when CBRN events are rare. It was therefore decided to set up a national resource to take some of that burden away from local, and other responsible authorities. The Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Governments decided to support a single UK GDS rather than establish similar agencies in their jurisdictions.
  • Q2. Was the GDS set-up because of an increased threat of CBRN terrorism?

    • A2. No. The establishment of the service is part of the Home Office-led programme to strengthen our level of preparedness across the board, it was not brought about by an increased threat of CBRN terrorism.

Remit and functions

  • Q3. What powers and responsibilities does the GDS have?

    • A3. The GDS does not have statutory powers of its own. Responsible authorities have all the powers they need to carry out decontamination and remediation as outlined in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and other legislation. The GDS team will help responsible authorities carry out their roles.
  • Q4. Will the GDS be a one stop shop for all advice on decontamination?

    • A4. In the event of a CBRN incident it is unlikely that there will be a one stop shop for all decontamination issues, multi-agency groups will be set up to manage recovery . The role of the GDS team is to provide advice and guidance, and access to Framework companies that can provide decontamination services.

    It must be recognised that the recovery and reoccupation of buildings and the open environment and other infrastructure is secondary to the immediate concerns of human decontamination following an incident. This is the responsibility of the Department of Health and the Health Services, with the help of the emergency services.

GDS in action

  • Q5. How soon after an incident might the GDS become involved in the decontamination process?

    • A5. This will depend on the nature of the incident. As the recovery phase should start in parallel to the response phase, we would expect to be contacted soon after the incident occurred and would be available to support the recovery-planning process from the outset, though clearly decontamination cannot begin until the boundaries of the incident are known, forensic investigations have been completed and the incident contained.
  • Q6. How long will the decontamination and remediation period last?

    • A6. The government's policy is that things should be returned to normal as soon as practicable. Incidents are dealt with on a case by case basis. The techniques employed, and the time taken to complete decontamination are dependent on the type and amount of contamination present.
  • Q7. Who will decide when decontamination is complete?

    • A7. The responsible authority will usually set up a Recovery Co-ordinating Group who will agree with the contracted specialist supplier the standards of decontamination to be achieved. The responsible authority will receive advice from Government Agencies, so that they can decide the level of contamination removal required to make the building or open environment safe.
  • Q8. Will the advice from the GDS be specific to a particular incident, or will it be generic in nature, so that the local authority will have to seek its own specialist advice and guidance?

    • A8. As part of the Strategic Co-ordination Group working on the recovery phase, the GDS team is able to provide elements of both generic and incident-specific advice to the relevant responsible authorities. Practical advice on the specifics of an individual decontamination project would also include close liaison with the specialist suppliers taken on to do the job.
  • Q9. Will GDS help with a major HAZMAT?

    • A9. GDS team will help with HAZMAT incidents that have the potential to overwhelm, or do overwhelm local capability and/or knowledge.
  • Q10. Will GDS project manage a recovery?

    • A10. The GDS team will advise and its specialist suppliers will assist in managing the work they have been contracted to carry out, but the contracting authority is required to manage and be in overall control of remediation.
  • Q11. Who are the GDS specialist suppliers?

    • A11. The identity of the GDS Framework specialist suppliers is confidential. Details will be shared with the contracting authority, along with information on supplier capability, when use of a Framework company is required. Terms and conditions, pre-agreed incident rates, and guidance on how to call-off services using the Framework agreements will also be included.

  • Q12. Do we have a choice on whether to engage GDS?

    • A12. Yes, there is no statutory obligation in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and other legislation that requires the responsible authority to request involvement of the GDS. However the GDS suppliers have a validated and proven capability to carry out specialist decontamination. They are covered by an Office of Government Commerce Framework Agreement that was established under the EU procurement process.