Idaho National Laboratory

One of the most harrowing prospects faced by military and civilian 

public safety officials is the 

threat of radioactive contamination being intentionally 

dispersed in highly populated 

areas. Although the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

says that radiation levels created by most probable sources 

-- whether a dirty bomb or 

some other type of dispersal 

device – is not toxic enough 

to terminally affect a mass 

population of people or cause 

severe illness, public fear and 

the possible need for costly 

cleanup make it an issue that 

demands attention and preparation. As nuclear energy 

systems and technology continue to expand globally, the 

proliferation of radiological 

and actinide materials must be 

carefully safeguarded.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory plays a key role in assuring proper preparation through 

the staging of specialized 

training for military and civilian first responders who are 

called upon to initially assess 

and help stabilize an accident 

or extreme hazard scene. 

About Training

Researchers and scientists at 

INL have developed several, 

flexible training programs to 

evaluate advanced techniques 

and equipment testing for performing radiological material 

searches and mitigation efforts. 

Courses are tailored to the 

participant’s potential need to 

search for, interact and rendersafe a radiological dispersal 

device or other potentially dangerous materials. Courses can 

also be designed for specific 

study areas including radiography, search techniques or first 

responder and consequence 

management skills. 

The training segments vary in 

duration, with a typical course 

presented in a four or five day 

instructional program. All 

Radiological Search and 

Response Training

INL dispersion device training prepares first responders for 

radiological emergencies 

Continued next page
Idaho National Laboratory

John Dwight

(208) 526-9590

John.Dwight@inl.gov

Jennifer Turnage

(208) 533-7166

Jennifer.Turnage@inl.gov

training includes a combination of classroom lectures by 

notable INL experts, field measurement activities and facility 

tours. Lecture topics include 

the nuclear fuel cycle, RDD 

materials, the biological effects 

of radiation, radiation detection 

principles, criticality safety and 

radiography. Participants are 

also offered opportunities to 

conduct search exercises which 

include a collection of radioactive materials in controlled 

settings for measurements. 

The intent of the exercises is 

to demonstrate the operation 

– and potential shortcomings 

– of common measurement 

and evaluation instruments in a 

realistic setting. 

During field measurements, 

participant use their radiation 

detection and identification 

equipment to measure significant gamma and neutron emitting radioactive sources. They 

are able to observe spectra 

from spent nuclear fuel target 

assemblies including metallic, oxide, nitride, and other 

nuclear fuels through the use 

of a specially designed material housing. These materials 

provide significant radiation 

fields and help to demonstrate 

the limitations of common 

radiation detection equipment 

and to help inform decision 

makers about the best equipment and techniques in a 

given situation. The ability 

to work with source materials and fuels also provide 

participants the opportunity 

to learn skills for spectral 

identification, the effects of 

shielding and moderation and 

time spent practicing radiation 

safety principles. 

INL Expertise 

INL has a long history of 

providing radiological training and assistance to local, 

state and federal agencies in 

preparation for radiological 

accidents and threats. INL’s 

expertise, unique infrastructure 

assets and scientific discipline combine to provide a 

one-stop location for evaluating advanced nuclear energy 

systems and providing realistic 

radiological response training 

to enhance national security. 

The INL instructional staff 

provides continuous technical support during all classroom and field measurement 

activities. Field measurement 

exercises are performed at 

several operating nuclear and 

radiological facilities offering 

participants the advantage of 

training in an industrial type 

setting. In addition, the laboA U.S. Department of Energy

National Laboratory

For more information

ratory owns several facilities 

representative of most aspects 

of a nuclear fuel cycle and 

prototypic industrial facilities. This unique, accesscontrolled location allows 

participants an opportunity to 

gain detection, isotope identification and measurement 

experience in a real-world 

environment, while hazards 

associated with these materials are safely demonstrated. 

The laboratory’s ability to 

house, handle and control 

a wide range of radioactive 

materials – including sealed 

sources, transuranic wastes, 

fissile materials and spent 

nuclear fuels – provides 

participants with a realistic 

training location. In addition, 

search activities often involve 

strategic placement of radioactive sources so that actual 

detection and identification by 

participants can take place. 

Continued from previous page

07-GA50503

An U.S. military soldier takes a 

radiation measurement during 

a source search exercise at INL.

Members of the U.S. military 

conduct measurement readings 

during an INL training exercise.