A CBRNE detection system and method for operating same are disclosed. The method provides a relatively increased Probability of Detection and a relatively decreased Probability of False Alarms for a networked system of detectors. In the illustrative embodiment, a central controller of the system is capable of receiving information from individual CBRNE detectors and of determining whether or not to issue an alarm indicating that a CBRNE event has occurred. Data obtained from individual CBRNE detectors is evaluated based on one or more “sensor alert-to-system alarm” processing modes. The various processing modes specify the requirements that must be satisfied before a system-wide “alarm” is issued.