WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today announced it is conducting International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) and radiation medical (I-MED) training in Thailand this week. The two courses are being hosted by the Thailand Ministry of Science and Technology, Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP).
“Teaching these courses in a Megaport country is important to expand the capacity of Thailand when radioactive material is discovered in the country,” said Joseph J. Krol, Associate Administrator for Emergency Operations. “These courses will enable the customs entity to have reachback capabilities with the nuclear and radiation protection authority, thus minimizing reliance on U.S. assets and building an effective in-country network and maximizing NNSA’s overall investment with the international community. The training also expands on NNSA’s continued commitment to provide training to the international community while delivering on President Obama’s nuclear security agenda.”
The OAP Secretary General along with Admiral Krol provided opening remarks for the training courses. The I-MED training has 80 participants representing the medical community, including doctors, nurses, emergency medical services and hospital staff from throughout Thailand. The I-RAPTER training has 32 participants representing OAP, customs, fire, police and port personnel. Additionally, four personnel from Laos are participating in the training courses with two participants in the I-MED and two in the I-RAPTER.
The I-RAPTER is being conducted by a seven person team from DOE/NNSA Sandia National Laboratories, Nevada Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) Andrews and Nevada, and the Idaho National Laboratory. The I-MED training is being conducted by a three person team from the DOE/NNSA REAC/TS in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Both the I-RAPTER and I-MED courses include hands-on equipment training and demonstrations. The I-RAPTER course enables trainees to use radiation detection equipment to locate hidden radioactive sources during a practical exercise and the I-MED course requires trainees to effectively contain radioactive particles while preparing patients for transport to a hospital for medical care. The goal of these courses is to instruct the international first responder and medical community to appropriately respond to incidents involving radioactive material. These training courses help prepare the first responder and 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 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.
