The US Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the JCBRN Defence COE Training, Exercises and Education Department conducted the final iteration of the International Radiological Assistance Programme Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) Basic Course (ETOC code: WMD-CD-21765). The training occurred in and around the COE in Vyskov over the period 25 February to 01 March 2019.
This year’s event was unique as it created a marvellous opportunity for Joint Activity (JA) with the European Network of CBRN Training Centres (eNOTICE) which ran from 26 to 28 February 2019 in Vyskov.
The one-week training schedule of the I-RAPTER Basic Course included in-depth instruction on the fundamentals of nuclear and radiation science, the physiological effects of radiation, how radiological detectors function and operational training methods to utilise radiation detection equipment in the field. The main aim of this course is to provide practical information to enable an effectively respond to radiological incidents and accidents. The course provided instruction through briefings, equipment demonstrations and field exercises employing a wide variety of radiation detection instruments, radiation sources and personal protective equipment.
The performance of the DOE/NNSA instructors (Mr. Andrae BROOKS, Mr. James BUTLER, Mr. Kevin ROLFE, Mr. Michael MURRAY, Mr. Frank E. MOORE, Mr. Kevin Lee BORDERS and Mrs. Jacqueline BRANDON) was professional and well recieved by all course participants. The SMEs shared their experience with the class, conducted well prepared activities and facilitated interesting discussions.
The 31 course participants (ARE, BEL, DEU, GBR, GRC, ITA, LBN, QAT, USA members of Armed Forces, Police, Fire Brigade units and master’s degree students from the University of Rome Tor Vergata) enjoyed a mix of theoretical lessons, practical activities and exercises. Approximately 20 percent of the students were related to the eNOTICE project partners and their institutions. A social dinner encompassing the I-RAPTOR students as well as the eNOTICE consortium members served as a perfect forum to come together, exchange information and plan for future activities. In addition both sides also met during the following evenings; a perfect example enhancing Civil / Military Cooperation.
The 17 JA eNOTICE participants took part as observers during a day of practical activities whilst the I-RAPTER course conducted field exercise training. Three key Field Exercise Activities were conducted:
- Radiological Pedestrian Search Operation in a building and outdoors;
- Radiological Mobile Search Operation in the garrison and surroundings (in close cooperation with the Air Museum in Vyskov); The premises of the Air Museum created inspiring background for training of the detection and identification procedures and the safe transport of discovered radioactive sources to secure environment;
- Radiological Source Recovery Operation.
Luckily the outdoor temperature was favourable. All personnel involved in the search of the radiation sources and manipulation of the equipment took the maximum opportunity out of the combination of well organised practical activities and challenging scenes.
In total, the course covered several types of radiological incidents, command and control group construction for incident response, how to brief concepts of operation to operational teams and how to work with outside agencies such as police and security forces, foreign governments and news agencies in the event of a CBRN event.
The course feedback from the students reflected its usefulness and many stated that it would add value to their career development.
This was the final iteration of the International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) Basic Course. The new course will focus primarily on radiological expertise (specialized training for radiological emergency preparedness and response operations.). This new course will be titled as the International Radiological and Nuclear Training for Emergency Response (I-RAD) Basic Course.
Check the Training Portal for more information / updates: https://www.jcbrncoe.cz/tp/.
Author: Major Veronika DOČKALOVÁ (CZE-A).
Photo: WO Petr MOHNACS (CZE-A), WO Pavel SKOPAL (CZE-A).
eNOTICE Project (European Network of CBRN Training Centres)
On 1st September 2017, a new project as part of the EU Horizon 2020 Research & Development Programme started: eNOTICE. It aims at building a dynamic, functional and sustainable pan-European Network of CBRN Training Centres (TC) and seeks to improve preparedness, resilience and incident response to CBRN attacks and emerging threats, including cross-border incidents.
The main goals of eNOTICE are to build a network and to develop a web based platform to support the network activities. eNOTICE will promote the activities of CBRN TCs by making them visible to the Public Safety and Security Community, such as practitioners, competent authorities and the R&D community. eNOTICE will promote the added value of the TCs as partners in the development of end user driven innovation for enhanced preparedness. eNOTICE will create opportunities to develop, share and discuss best practices, establish close multidisciplinary interactions between stakeholders and practitioners and improve overall efficiency through collaboration.
One of the key activities of eNOTICE will be the organisation of Joint Activities such as multidisciplinary field exercises, table top exercises, serious gaming and simulations, open for participation of external stakeholders (e.g. CBRN preparedness and response experts, training professionals, policy makers, R&D project managers, industry, research representatives). These Joint Activities will provide unique opportunities for the identification and development of user-driven technological solutions. As the network further develops, participatory collaboration will create an even broader range of these. More info could be find at https://www.h2020-enotice.eu/
