Module 3 Recognition and Notification

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Module 3 Recognition and Notification
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Recognition and Notification

• Terminal Objective
• RECOGNIZE the presence of radiological material
  from radiological postings (colors and symbols),
  container shapes/types, or unusual signs that may
  indicate the threat of a radiological incident,
  and appropriately COMMUNICATE the need for
  additional resources during an incident.

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Recognition and Notification

• Enabling Objectives
• IDENTIFY placards, symbols, and colors that
  indicate the presence of radiological material.
• DESCRIBE circumstances indicating the need for
  additional resources during an incident.

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Recognition and Notification

• Enabling Objectives
• DESCRIBE protective measures and how to initiate
  actions to protect others.

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Recognition and Notification

• 4. DESCRIBE the probable consequences of

• Disregarding radiological postings, signs, and
  labels
• Being unaware of potential radiation
  dissemination devices
• Disregarding crime scene evidence preservation
• Disregarding the importance of practicing
  safety-first to avoid becoming a victim
• Being unaware of potential secondary devices.

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Radiation Symbol - Trefoil
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Radiation Symbol - Colors
Black Magenta
Red
White Background
Inside a Triangle
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Misused Symbols
CORRECT SYMBOL
Radiation
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Similar Warning Symbols
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Commercial Radioactive Material

Notice the lead liner in the container, another
indicator of radioactive material.
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Radioactive Material Containers Explosion, Fire,
or Breach
Assume everything may be contaminated

• Victims Responders
• Equipment Papers
• Evidence

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Shipping Package Labels
Radioactive White-I
Radioactive Yellow-II
Empty
Radioactive Yellow-III
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Type A Shipping Containers
Fiberboard Wooden Boxes
Steel Buckets Drums
Steel Cylinders with Lead Liners
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• Examples of Package Markings and Labels

D.O.T 7A - TYPE A Indicates Type A package Type A
packages do NOT contain life-endangering amounts
of radioactive material.
Radioactive Yellow II labels on opposite sides of
package
Orientation arrows Good indication that the
package contains liquids
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Type A Package with Radiopharmaceutical
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Type B Shipping Containers
Examples of Type B

• Transportation of life-endangering amounts of
  radioactive material.

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Shipping Containers Other Type B
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Type B Container Test Video
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Type B Container Crash Test
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Type B Container Train Crash
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Cask Explosion Test
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Placards on Vehicles
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Radiation Signs at Facilities
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Marked Areas at Facilities Explosion or Fire
Explosion or fire in marked areas
assume everything coming out of these areas
contaminated with radioactive material.
Victims Responders Equipment Papers Eviden
ce
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Radiation Signs
Increasing level of danger

• GRAVE DANGER
• Very High Radiation Area
• Possible lethal doses in one hour or less
• DANGER
• High Radiation Area
• CAUTION
• Radiation Area
• Contamination Area
• Radioactive Material

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Other Radiation Sign Formats
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Indications of a Radiological Incident

• Radiation cannot be seen, felt, tasted, or
  smelled therefore, other indications are
  required.

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Indications of a Radiological Incident

• Authorities tell people there is a radiological
  incident.
• A witness reports an incident involving
  radioactive material at their jobsite, etc.
• A radiation meter indicates that there is
  radiation present (above background levels).

• Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or
  animals
• Reddening or burns where the victim does not know
  what caused the burns

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Indications of a Radiological Incident

• Unusual metal debris chunks of lead or thick
  metal plating, small lead balls or lead shot
• Explosion or unexplained bomb/munitions-like
  material should be checked for radiation

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Indications of a Radiological Incident

• Radiation symbols
• Small metal discs or cylinders
• Heat-emitting material
• Glowing material/particles

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Radioactive Material Glow
Medical Yttrium Source for Cancer Treatment
Spent Nuclear Fuel Rod
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Weak Radioactive Source Placed Near Victims

• Hazard
• Non-lethal dose (contamination if source is
  broken open)
• Evidence
• Small metal cylinders, disks, vials
• Visible radiation symbol
• Lead shielding materials

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Strong Radioactive Source Placed Near Victims

• Hazard
• Dangerous radiation dose (contamination if source
  is broken open)
• Evidence
• Small metal cylinders, disks
• Victims nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, burns
• Type B packages

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Radiological Dispersal Device

• Hazard
• Blast, if explosives used
• Contamination, radiation dose near blast area
• Evidence
• Explosion or explosive device
• Victims with symptoms hours after explosion
• Damaged or destroyed Type B package

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RDD with Spent Nuclear Fuel

• Hazard
• Blast, contamination, very dangerous radiation
  dose
• Evidence
• Rods and pellets, lead shielding)
• Potential blue glow and heat from powder or
  material
• Damaged/destroyed Type B cask

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Nuclear Reactor Fuel Rods

• Fuel rod made of Uranium Oxide pellets in
  metal tubes
• Typical fuel rod assembly - 13 feet long

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Fuel Rods from Chernobyl Explosion
About 6 inches to 2 feet long Do not attempt
this! Very high radiation levels!
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Attack on Nuclear Power Plant

• Hazard
• Radiation dose, external and internal
  contamination
• Evidence
• Self-evident
• Emergency notification system activated

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Nuclear Weapon Detonated

• Hazard
• Thermal pulse and fires started
• Blast and shock wave, collapsed buildings
• Lethal radiation, contamination
• Evidence
• Massive damage and injuries
• Electronics no longer work
• Possible mushroom cloud

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


Level C Level B Level A
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Survey Meter - Purposes

• A radiation survey meter is needed to
• Detect radioactive material
• Measure radiation levels
• Survey personnel

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Pagers and Portal Monitors
Portal Monitors
Pagers
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Dosimeter
Measures the radiation dose a person received.
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Notification

• When a WMD incident of any kind occurs, notify
  the proper agencies as soon as possible
• Follow your state or local Emergency Operation
  Procedures EOPs.

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Notification

• Call dispatch or 911
• Ask dispatch to make any other contacts
• Other local personnel
• State agencies
• Neighboring jurisdictions

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Notification

• 2. Include the following information
• Your name, agency, and call-back number
• Indicators that radioactive materials or nuclear
  weapons were involved
• Any other indicators that a terrorist incident
  has occurred

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Notification
2. (continued) Include the following
information

• Severity of the incident
• Incident location
• Actions already taken
• On-scene contact (Incident Commander and how to
  reach this person)

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On-Scene Actions

• In a potentially contaminated area you should
• Move from that area
• Encourage others to move away from the immediate
  threat
• Deny access and minimize further contamination

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Crime Scene Aspects

• A WMD event is a crime scene.
• Do not touch anything unnecessarily.
• If you move something, make a note of it.
• Advise witnesses to remain on-scene in a safe
  location until they have been interviewed.
• Be aware of all activity around you.

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Self-Protection

• Other hazards besides the radiation
• Secondary devices or booby traps
• Toxic chemicals
• Fire and smoke
• Chemical or biological agents may have been
  released as well.

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ALARA
REMINDER

• Minimize time
• Maximize distance
• Use shielding

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Questions?