# Presentation: 862578

## CRCPD:  Reducing and Responding to the Threat

- Ruth E. McBurney, CHP
- Conference of Radiation Control
- Program Directors

## Outline

- Who is CRCPD?
- Activities related to homeland security
- Increased security at facilities
- State radiological emergency response guidance and databases
- Radiological Dispersion Device (“Dirty Bomb”) Response Handbook
- Source Control and Threat Reduction Project
- How we can assist local first responders in radiation detection and response

## Who is CRCPD?

- Non-profit organization established to:
-  provide a common forum for the exchange of information among state and local radiation control programs
- provide a mechanism for states to communicate with the federal government on radiation protection issues.

## CRCPD’s Mission

- To promote consistency in addressing and resolving radiation protection issues.
- To encourage high standards of quality in radiation protection programs.
- To provide leadership in radiation safety and education.

## Major Types of Membership

**Director Members **
- State & local radiation control program 	directors
**Associate Members **
- Staff of radiation control programs in the U.S.
**Affiliate Members**** **
- Anyone having an interest in CRCPD and radiation protection

## Organizational Chart

- Membership

- Board of
- Directors

- Radiation
- Advisory

- OED

- SSR
- Council

- Healing Arts
- Council

- Environmental
- Nuclear Council

- Homeland Security/
- Emergency Response
- Council

- General
- Council

## Homeland Security/Emergency Response Activities

- National Monitoring System for assessing environmental radiation levels
- Fostering partnerships and developing operational guides to support emergency preparedness and response
- Emergency scenario preparation
- Models and Tools for Response to RDD/IND
- Emergency response planning

## HS-5 CHAIR

**HS-5 CHAIR**
- Adela Salame-Alfie, Ph.D.

**MEMBERS**
-  Frieda Fisher-Tyler, CIH (DE)
-  Patricia Gardner (NJ)
-  Aubrey Godwin, CHP (AZ)
-  Kathleen (Cass) Kaufman (CA)
-  Marinea Mehrhoff (IA)
-  Kathleen McAllister (MA)

**ADVISORS**
-  Karen Beckley (NV)
-  Cynthia Costello, CHP (NY)
-  Don Dale (LANL, NM)
-  Robert Greger, CHP (CA)
-  Margaret Henderson (TX)
-  Robert Gallaghar (MA)
-  Debra McBaugh (WA)
-  Victor Anderson (CA)

**Interactive Working Group Resources:**
- Frieda Fisher-Tyler, HS-EI chair 05/05
- Debra McBaugh, HS-3 chair 05/05
- Kim Steves, HS-4 chair 05/05

- Resources
- CDC          Robert Whitcomb
- EPA          Bonnie Gitlin
- FEMA      John Dixon

## WHAT IS HS-5?

**Part of the Homeland Security - Emerging Issues (HS-EI) Workgroup **
**Original Charter: **
** ****To develop an “RDD Flowchart with contact information” and a “Companion Handbook”**

## TARGET AUDIENCE

** ****First Responders with various degrees of radiological experience (from none to advanced)**

## INSERT PICTURE OF CARD

**FIRST PRODUCT:  THE RDD POCKET GUIDE**

## FLOWCHART OF ACTIONS

- Remember ... Saving Lives is a Priority!

## Slide 13

## Guidelines for RDD Response

## Slide 15

## THE RDD HANDBOOK

## Companion to the RDD pocket guide
Developed by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) HS-5 Task Force
Developed for state and local responders who may be called upon to respond to a radiological dispersal device or “dirty bomb”
Training and Reference tool for Responders

- Developed by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) HS-5 Task Force
- Developed for state and local responders who may be called upon to respond to a radiological dispersal device or “dirty bomb”
- Training and Reference tool for Responders

**What is the RDD Handbook?**

## Focuses on the first 12 hours
Assumes local/state responders will be available within 12 hours (Usually only a “phone call” away)

- Assumes local/state responders will be available within 12 hours (Usually only a “phone call” away)

## Ability to deal with radiological incidents at the local and state level varies across the country
Some states/localities have very advanced plans (especially those that have nuclear power plants) to deal with radiological emergencies, while others do not

- Some states/localities have very advanced plans (especially those that have nuclear power plants) to deal with radiological emergencies, while others do not

**Why did we put it together?**

## 	What is the purpose of the 	Handbook?

- Provide a training and reference tool for responders
- Also to be used by local and state response officials
- “Responders” include Fire, EMS, Police, HAZMAT
- EMTs and Hospital staff may use it as a guide for response activities

## Highlights of the Handbook

- Flowchart
- Definition of Radiation Zones aka the
- 	“Bull’s Eye”
- Suggested Activities for each zone
- Turn back exposure rates
- Decontamination Guidelines
- Conducting Radiation Surveys
- Forms
- Contacts (Local/State/Federal)

## The Flowchart

- Quick reference
- Lists minimum activities that must take place for appropriate response
- Jogs responder’s memory
- Includes rules of thumb

## FLOWCHART OF ACTIONS

- Remember ... Saving Lives is a Priority!

## The Flowchart

**Radiation Detected or Suspected?**

**Follow established protocols**

- NO

- YES

## The Flowchart

- Control scene
- Establish “safe area”

- Rescue Injured

- Contact Local/State Radiation Control Program

- YES

## The Flowchart

**SEND HOME**

## The Flowchart

**Rescue Injured**

**Start triage and rapid treatment**

**Contaminated?**

**Treat without regard for contamination**

**Transport to hospital**

**Decontaminate**

**Register and release for medical treatment**

**NO**

**NO**

**YES**

**YES**

- REMEMBER
- SAVING LIVES IS A PRIORITY

## The Flowchart

**Contact Local/State Radiation Control Program**

- In Tennessee
- 24-Hour #:  615/741-0001

** ****Measure radiation levels (alpha, beta,gamma,      ****	****neutrons)**
** ****Set up and verify radiation boundaries**
** ****Verify/redefine contaminated area**
** ****Establish dose guidelines and dosimetry**
** ****Identify radioisotopes**
** ****Assist in monitoring and decontamination of ****	****victims (including first responders)**
** ****Provide support to medical personnel**
** ****Provide support to Public Information Officer**

## Rules of Thumb

**For outdoor explosions, most of the airborne radioactive dust will have settled to the ground within about 10 minutes **
**In the absence of any other information, evacuate to 500 meters (1650 ft) from the detonation site in all directions**
**Check batteries and turn on your radiation detection instrument prior to arriving at the incident scene**
**You may not be able to perform decontamination onsite if a large number of people are affected**
**Removing outer clothing can eliminate the majority of contamination**
**For large incidents, it is not necessary to retain runoff**

## Other Procedures in Handbook

- Establishment of Incident Command
- Radiation measurement when radiation is detected or suspected
- Personal dosimeter use, units, and calibration
- Controlling the scene
- Establishing “safe” areas and boundaries or “decision points”

## Slide 31

## Other Guidelines

- Rescuing the Injured
- Decontamination
- Surveying for Contamination
- Instructions to Workers
- Forms and Handouts
- Appendices

## Appendices

** ****FLOW CHART (FULL SIZE)**
** ****OVERVIEW OF THE TYPES OF RADIATION**
** ****PRIMER ON RADIATION MEASUREMENT**
** ****HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ALPHA, BETA AND **
**  ****GAMMA RADIATION USING A PANCAKE GM SURVEY METER**
** ****EXPOSURE VS. CONTAMINATION**
** ****GUIDANCE FOR ASSESSING INTERNAL CONTAMINATION**
** ****HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE**
** ****ACCUTE RADIATION SYNDROME**
** ****RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM CONTACTS**
** ****FEDERAL RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM CONTACTS**
**INTERNET SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**
** ****ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
** ****GLOSSARY**

## The RDD Handbook

- 	encountered by responders  but
- Many of the concepts can be applied to other
- 	radiation incidents
- Does NOT include description of incident
- 	command or law enforcement activities but
- Assumes that all responders are familiar
- 	with ICS
- Does NOT include response to an IND

## The Source Collection and Threat Reduction Program (SCATR)

- To reduce the threat of commercial radioactive materials
- Discrete sealed sources
- In storage and/or unwanted
- Could be abandoned or diverted for misuse
- Five-year cooperative agreement with DOE

## SCATR Program Objectives

- Identify users/licensees and others with unwanted sources of radiation in storage
- Collect data on sources and disposition
- Prioritize collection campaigns
- Ensure appropriate collection and disposition of identified sources of radiation
- Disseminate information on lessons learned

## SCATR Program Tasks

- Outreach to user groups and industry
- Outreach to States and users/licensees
- Coordinate with Offsite Source Recovery Project at LANL to address all situations and collect data
- Prioritize collection campaigns

## SCATR Program Tasks(continued)

- Ensure appropriate collection and disposition
- Continue CRCPD National Orphan Source Program, “adoption agency,” and identification of low-cost disposition options
- Work with States and LLW compacts to identify requirements and options
- Disseminate lessons learned through conferences, journals, etc.

## Other Planned Activities in Emergency Response/Homeland Security

- Continue with orphan source recovery (cooperative effort with NRC)
- RDD roundtable with Centers for Disease Control
- Strengthen communication among state agencies, hospital/medical groups regarding emergency preparedness
- Encourage use of CDC guidance documents
- Database of resources for emergency response
- Involvement in activities for source detection at DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
- Involvement in Nuclear Government Coordinating Council
- 	(interagency group working on preparedness and prevention)

## In Summary

- CRCPD is active on several fronts
- Medical, industrial, and environmental radiation:  tools to assist regulatory agencies
- Emergency Planning
- Homeland Security
- CRCPD is a resource for unwanted sources
- CRCPD is a resource for radiological emergency preparedness and response