Training on first response to nuclear and radiological emergencies

Use of radioactive sources and ionizing radiations as a tool towards welfare of mankind has grown several folds in the recent years. This has increased the demand for the production of radioisotopes as well as their transport from one place to another for which safety and security aspects are to be addressed. While the use of radioactive isotopes has brought in immense benefit to the society at large, it has also increased the potential threat of becoming a tool for destructive purposes. During the last few years, terrorism, in one form or the other has been found on the increase and today there is an international concern on nuclear and radiological terrorism. As these malevolent acts are aimed at to create fear and panic amongst the public, they are more likely to be used in the public domain. Hence it is important to sensitize, educate and train the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) professionals to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies that are otherwise in close contact with the public and kept in readiness to respond to natural disasters. A comprehensive training program for such 'FIRST RESPONDERS', covering various aspects of radiation protection and safety with more thrust on field exercises, was undertaken by DAE in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority. Each training course was of two-week duration and many such courses were conducted in batches throughout India. Hands-on training on use of various types of radiation monitors, penetrating powers of radiation, means and demonstration of control of external and internal exposures, use of personnel monitoring devices, full-scale field exercises on personnel, area and vehicle decontamination, source search and its safe recovery, and estimation of air-borne radioactivity using air-sampler are some of the practicals that were conducted. Though many lectures were taken, maximum time was allocated to the field exercises and familiarization of radiation monitoring instruments. The course comprised of 35 lectures, 12 practical classes and five video movies. Besides, a tabletop simulated exercise on five different emergency scenarios as given below, involving RDD, was conducted as a group-activity. (author)