WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recently conducted an international radiation medical (I-MED) training course in Kuwait.
“The goal of the course taught in Kuwait was to help prepare medical personnel to assist and treat contaminated patients,” said NNSA’s Associate Administrator for Emergency Operations Joseph Krol. “The training in Kuwait is another example of NNSA’s commitment to work with foreign governments in improving emergency preparedness and response programs. We are fortunate to have dedicated professionals who are truly leaders in their fields working to promote President Obama’s nuclear security agenda.”
The course was attended by 100 physicians, nurses, hospital staff and other medical emergency response personnel. Participants also included two physicians from India who asked to participate. NNSA instructed medical responders in treating injured contaminated patients. The course included hands-on demonstrations requiring trainees to effectively contain radioactive particles while preparing patients for transport to a hospital for medical care. As radiation-based technology finds its way into ever-increasing areas of use, it is imperative that the medical community is able to appropriately respond to accidents involving ionizing radiation. The training also prepares the medical response community to effectively respond to radiological terrorism.
NNSA’s primary mission is to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without underground nuclear testing. Because of this expertise, NNSA also provides nuclear emergency response support to local law enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and emergency responders in other countries.
NNSA’s Office of Emergency Operations currently collaborates with more than 80 foreign governments and 10 international organizations with projects ranging from providing assistance to foreign governments in improving their emergency preparedness and response programs, to joint collaborative activities to improve emergency management infrastructure worldwide.
For more information on NNSA’s Office of Emergency Operations, click here [1].
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Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
