Emergency Responder Training for Response to the Aftermath of Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism

In support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Nuclear Security Administration, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has developed modular training materials that are easily understood by response personnel that describe the possible effects from an improvised nuclear device (IND) in a major metropolitan area and the actions that the public and responder community could take to save and sustain life.

The result is a suite of multimedia-rich training modules with an instructor and student guide that uses non-scientific language to explain the dynamic nature of such an event. The instructor guides provide a suggested narrative and emphasis for each slide; the student guides provide a reference for students.

The instructor and student guides for the modules have been included below. The presentations are available to federal, state, and local emergency response trainers. This training was developed in collaboration with Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Emergency Response. Local experts in radiological and nuclear response are available through the Radiological Assistance Program. For more information, visit this web site.

Additionally, these materials are the foundation for a web-based course in development by CTOS, the Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training at the Nevada National Security Site. This course, once complete, will serve as the introduction to an entire curriculum focused on response to an IND for Key Leaders. For more information, visit this web site.

Also included are radiological-response training materials developed to improve responder awareness of important issues regarding the response to radiological terrorism.

Public Health Impacts of Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism

Presentations by Brooke Buddemeier to the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch Symposium conducted on January 9, 2015.

• Responding to Radiological Terrorism
  [Interactive presentation including voiceover audio captured from the symposium.] LLNL-PRES-666750.
  Responding to Radiological Terrorism is an extended presentation on:
  • Key Units and Principles of Radiation
  • Federal Framework for Rad/Nuc Response
  • Radiological Terrorism Threats and Materials
  • A San Francisco RDD Example
• Responding to Nuclear Terrorism
  [Interactive presentation including voiceover audio captured from the symposium.] LLNL-PRES-666699.
  Responding to Nuclear Terrorism is an extended presentation on:
  • Nuclear Devices and Non-Proliferation Concern
  • Updated Science Supporting IND Response Planning
  • Example of a Nuclear Detonation in California
  • Federal and California Response Considerations

Nuclear Terrorism Response—National Capital Region (NCR)

Overview of Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) Impacts to the NCR is an extended presentation on response planning for a low-yield nuclear detonation in the NCR. This presentation is at the awareness level. Separate links below may be used in a modular training effort that includes more detailed instructor guides. [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide]

• Modeling Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) Impacts to Tier I UASI Cities: NCR Version
  [230 MB Slideshow, Powerpoint 2007 or later required] This version runs automatically with an audio recorded at the Howard County Community Emergency Response Network Conference on “Surviving a Nuclear Event”.
• Overview of Department of Homeland Security Nuclear Detonation Modeling and Response Planning
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] Orients emergency response personnel on current improvised nuclear detonation response planning activities within the federal government.
• Prompt Effects Summary
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module is intended to give an overview of the prompt effects that follow detonation of an IND. This includes injury, structural damage, and prompt radiation and thermal exposure.
• Fallout Effects
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module gives an introduction to the basic principles of fallout, how it changes in time and space, as well as the planning guidance zones and definitions.
• Shelter and Evacuation Strategies
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module explains the life-saving strategies that can work after detonation on an IND. This includes sheltering-in-place, and the basics of informed evacuation.
• Response Strategies
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module is intended to give an overview of the prompt effects that follow detonation of an IND. This includes injury, structural damage and prompt radiation and thermal exposure.

Nuclear Terrorism Response—Los Angeles

Overview of Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) Impacts to Los Angeles is an extended presentation on response planning for a low-yield nuclear detonation in the greater Los Angeles urban area. This presentation is at the awareness level. Separate links below may be used in a modular training effort that includes more detailed instructor guides.

Note: This material was developed in 2009; graphics and information have not been updated for the current year.

• Overview of Department of Homeland Security Nuclear Detonation Modeling and Response Planning
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] Orients emergency response personnel on current improvised nuclear detonation response planning activities within the federal government.
• Prompt Effects Summary (Los Angeles)
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module is intended to give an overview of the prompt effects that follow detonation of an IND. This includes injury, structural damage and prompt radiation and thermal exposure.
• Fallout Effects (Los Angeles)
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module gives an introduction to the basic principles of fallout, how it changes in time and space, as well as the planning guidance zones and definitions.
• Shelter/Evacuation (Los Angeles)
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module explains the life-saving strategies that can work after detonation on an IND. This includes sheltering-in-place, and the basics of informed evacuation.
• Response Strategies (Los Angeles)
  [Instructor Guide] [Student Guide] This module is intended to give an overview of the prompt effects that follow detonation of an IND. This includes injury, structural damage and prompt radiation and thermal exposure.

Radiological Terrorism Response

• Responding to Radiological Terrorism—Presentation
  (LLNL-PRES-666750), Slides and narration from the January 2015 California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch Nuclear Detonation Science Symposium, Public Health Impacts of Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism.
• Responding to Nuclear Terrorism—Presentation
  An interactive presentation with monologue given to the California Department of Public Health.
• Responding to Radiological Terrorism—Presentation
  An interactive presentation with monologue
• Radiological Emergencies; Emergency Responder Protocols for Radiological Terrorism
  Some advice for Health Physicists looking to train Responders.
• Information and References for Hospital Emergency Response Planners
  A great introduction for hospital emergency response planning. [PDF 1.3 MB]
• Radiological Emergency Response Planning and Exercise
  [PDF 4.7 MB] How to use HotSpot to help with State and Local response planning and exercises.
• Understanding Radiation and Its Effects
  [PDF 3.7 MB] [PDF with narration]
  A brief overview of radiation, contamination, decay, half-life, dose, and dose effects.
• Radioactive Material Production, Transportation, Use, and Possible Misuse
  [PDF with narration] Overview of radioactive material production, transportation, and use in our society. Special attention is given to high activity sources and how they might be misused. A discussion of “dirty bombs” and general effects is also included.
• Misuse of Radioactive Material: First Responder Considerations
  [PDF with narration] This presentation provides more detail on the possible effects of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or “dirty bomb.” An example of a 1987 Brazil contamination event is used to introduce the effects and response to widespread radioactive contamination. The effects of a postulated RDD are then introduced to stimulate discussion on possible effects and response tactics. Responder protective measures and possible health effects are also discussed.
• Radiological Emergency Response Assistance and Resources (California)
  [PDF with narration] An overview of local, state, and federal radiological emergency response assets. Although the beginning of this presentation is specific to California, most of the information about federal resources is true for the entire U.S.
• Radiological Emergencies: Tools, Training, and National Assistance for First Responders
  [Manuscript] Firefighters, police, and other first responders have a variety of tools, training, and national radiological emergency assistance available to them. This presentation reviews several categories of instruments currently available for first responders. There are several national programs that support first responders, either remotely or with the rapid deployment of local or national assistance teams comprised of radiological safety experts. Free or low cost radiological emergency response training is available from several local and national venues.