First class of new radiological course ‘in the books’
Students prepare to take environmental samples during the new Radiological Emergency Preparedness Field Operations Course.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness presented graduation certificates today to the first group of responders to complete its new Radiological Emergency Preparedness Field Operations Course.
The 10 responders, who represent fire and law enforcement agencies in at least five separate states, began the five-day course on Monday.
The course teaches responders how to safely and effectively respond as part of a team to radiological incidents at nuclear power plants. It includes instruction on radiological response equipment and procedures, as well as a number of practical exercises.
The CDP developed the course over 12 months, beginning in the summer of 2018.
The possibility of fire, law enforcement and other responders having to respond to a radiological incident involving a nuclear power plant is not insignificant.
There are currently 59 nuclear power plants and 92 reactors spread out across 29 states, according to an article on the U.S. Energy Information Administration website. Two additional reactors are under construction in Georgia.