Advanced Radiation Detection Course

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This technician-level course is delivered on a regional basis throughout the nation to jurisdictions approved by 

the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DHS/DNDO).

Course Description:

The Counter Terrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Program, National Security Technologies LLC, on 

behalf of the DHS/DNDO, conducts this ARD training course. The five-day course focuses on the 

H l d S it di l i l/ l P t i i d id tt d ith th kill d d t SupporHomeland Security radiological/nuclear Prevent mission and provides attendees with the skills needed to

detect radioactive material and assess detection instrument alarms so they can determine whether the 

radioactive material is legitimate or illicit. Attendees are trained to conduct low-profile operations in small 

teams at public venues. The course will cover instrument operation and deployment, detection mission 

operations and activities, team organization, reporting/reachback protocols, and other federal assets 

available for assistance. The DHS/Target Capabilities List and the DNDO Detection Response Protocol 

document were used to develop the following tasks that are taught in this advanced course. 

This course complies with ANSI N42.37-2006, “American National Standard for Training Requirements for 

tions 

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Homeland Security Purposes Using Radiation Detector Instrumentation for Interdiction and Prevention.”

Major mission/task areas include:

◊ Operate and employ the radiation detection 

equipment listed on following page.

◊ Inspect and monitor radiological/nuclear material at Operati

key interdiction points.

◊ Detect, verify, locate, measure, and identify illegal 

radiological/nuclear material at point of 

manufacture, transit, emplacement, or use.

◊ Employ team detection operations/activities and 

reporting processes to detect, identify, and, if 

necessary, adjudicate radiological/ nuclear 

orism 

O

sources.

◊ Detect and characterize an area, facility, or venue 

for emplacement of an illicit radiological/ nuclear 

device.

◊ Detect radiological/nuclear material on persons 

entering special events, boarding mass transit, or 

related activities.

Terr

◊ Detect radiological/nuclear material in vehicles at 

or

choke points, transportation corridors, or other 

potential terrorist targets.

◊ Employ technical reachback processes whereby 

appropriate assistance is provided to State and 

local communities.

◊ Interface with the DNDO Joint Analysis Center to 

adjudicate radiation/nuclear detection anomalies. ounter 

Officer conducting low profile detection for illicit material during an 

ARD exercise

Co
Equipment:

The instruments used in this course will be provided by a Mobile Training Team (MTT) and will be available for attendee 

use during the course. With prior coordination, the attendees may use their jurisdictions’ instruments. Attendees will 

l t b k k d t t hi l t d bil d t ti t d d d t i t 

Cost, Course Length, and Delivery:

All Training and course materials are provided at no cost to eligible 

participants. This course is 40 hours (five 8-hour days). All Training is 

provided at participant locations by an MTT.

learn to use backpack detectors, a vehicle-mounted mobile detection system, and an advanced spectroscopic system.

They will be taught to use these advanced detection instruments in conjunction with personal radiation detectors 

(PRDs) and hand-held radiation isotope identifier devices (RIIDs), with which they have prerequisite skills.

Target Audience:

◊ Law Enforcement

◊ Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) personnel

◊ Health Physicists

◊ Other applicable Operations Management and 

support personnel

C S h d li

provided at participant locations by an MTT.

Detecting radioactive 

material on 

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Prerequisite:

Attendees should have completed training in the use of 

PRDs and RIIDs prior to enrollment in ARD. The 

Course Scheduling:

Coordination between Counter Terrorism Operations 

Support (CTOS) and the hosting jurisdiction is required at 

least 12-16 weeks prior to the course delivery

pedestrians (above)

and vehicles 

disembarking from 

an interstate ferry 

(left).

p

Detection Equipment for Law Enforcement Course 

(PER-244) and/or Personal Radiation Detection Course 

(PER-243) are recommended but not required.

Eligibility:

It is the responsibility of the jurisdiction to select qualified 

course participants.

Enrollment Information:

In order to attend this course, a request must be 

provided to the designated DHS State Administrative 

Agent (SAA) training point of contact. For the Training 

point of contact in your area, contact the FEMA/NPD 

Help Line at

800-368-6498. 

NOTE: The ARD course is currently being piloted. Delivery of 

the National Preparedness Directorate (NPD)-certified course 

is scheduled to begin in 2008 and will be conducted regionally 

throughout the United States.

Certificate:

A Certificate of Completion is issued upon successful 

completion of the course.

For More Information, Contact the Registration Desk at:

National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office

Counter Terrorism Operations Support Program

P.O. Box 98521, M/S NLV126, Las Vegas, NV 89193-8521

702.295.3224 • 702.537.2639 Fax

E-mail: ctosreg@nv.doe.gov

www.nv.doe.gov/combatingterrorism 

or

DNDO Training Team at email:

dndo.training@dhs.gov

DOE/NV--1255-REV1

July 2008