Thai medical workers and other officials this week are receiving
training from the United States in how to respond to a potential
radiological incident, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration
announced in a release .
Two separate training programs are being offered, one for 80 medical emergency responders, physicians, nurses and hospital personnel, and the other for 32 port, police, fire, and nuclear officials . The trainings were organized by the semiautonomous Energy Department agency and Thailand's Atoms for Peace Office and the Science and Technology Ministry.
Both programs are each also hosting two officials from Laos, according to an NNSA press release.
"Teaching these courses in a Megaport country is important to expand the capacity of Thailand when radioactive material is discovered in the country," NNSA Associate Administrator Joseph Krol said in provided comments. "These courses will enable the customs entity to have reachback capabilities with the nuclear and radiation protection authority, thus minimizing reliance on U.S. assets and building an effective in-country network and maximizing NNSA’s overall investment with the international community."
The course for government officials teaches participants how to utilize sensors to pinpoint the location of radioactive materials. The medical course gives students hands-on practice in limiting the spread of radioactive substances while readying injured people for conveyance to medical centers.
The intent is to ensure emergency and medical personnel are prepared for situations encompassing materials that emit radiation, including terrorist employment of radiological weapons, according to the release (U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration release, April 10).
http://www.nti.org/gsn/
Two separate training programs are being offered, one for 80 medical emergency responders, physicians, nurses and hospital personnel, and the other for 32 port, police, fire, and nuclear officials . The trainings were organized by the semiautonomous Energy Department agency and Thailand's Atoms for Peace Office and the Science and Technology Ministry.
Both programs are each also hosting two officials from Laos, according to an NNSA press release.
"Teaching these courses in a Megaport country is important to expand the capacity of Thailand when radioactive material is discovered in the country," NNSA Associate Administrator Joseph Krol said in provided comments. "These courses will enable the customs entity to have reachback capabilities with the nuclear and radiation protection authority, thus minimizing reliance on U.S. assets and building an effective in-country network and maximizing NNSA’s overall investment with the international community."
The course for government officials teaches participants how to utilize sensors to pinpoint the location of radioactive materials. The medical course gives students hands-on practice in limiting the spread of radioactive substances while readying injured people for conveyance to medical centers.
The intent is to ensure emergency and medical personnel are prepared for situations encompassing materials that emit radiation, including terrorist employment of radiological weapons, according to the release (U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration release, April 10).
http://www.nti.org/gsn/
