RSL Extends Expertise in South America, Asia

November 17, 2009

(Left) During a recent workshop in Singapore, James Butler (right) of RSL-Andrews instructs a Navy Special Boarding Team trainee how to use a radiation mapper on a cargo ship. Photo: Alex Chin, Defense Science Organization National Laboratories, Singapore.

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In Buenos Aires, Argentina, RSL-Nellis’ Craig Marianno (left) demonstrates a Spectral Aerial Radiation Computer System to members of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority. Photo: Rick Maurer

The United States has cooperated with the global community in nuclear emergency management for a number of years. As part of this cooperation, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s International Emergency Management and Cooperation (NNSA-IEMC) has been sharing information and exchanging data to strengthen regional and worldwide capabilities to ensure that effective programs are in place to prepare and respond to radiological and nuclear incidents and emergencies. IEMC provides cooperation through two focus areas, International Outreach and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.

IEMC International Outreach

In June 2009, the Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) at Nellis provided and installed a video wall display and conferencing system, Geographic Information System and a Spectral Airborne Radiation Computer System at the Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. NNSA donated the equipment to IRD, with approval from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to strengthen international programs. Similar systems have been provided to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, and various U.S. embassies and consulates.

The U.S. has been cooperating with the global community on nuclear emergency management for years. Sharing information and exchanging data helps strengthen regional and worldwide capabilities to ensure that effective programs are in place to prepare for and respond to nuclear and radiological incidents and emergencies.

RSL employees who contributed to these projects were: Kevin Marah, Ben Sher, Ron Guise, Ken Braithwaite, Vince Wolf, Bob Fisher, James Essex, Joe Kneidel, Mike Lukens, Paul Ainsworth and John Istle. Other work in Brazil included a product demonstration of the International Radiological Information Exchange system at IRD.

IEMC Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Through the International Emergency Management and Cooperation Program at the NNSA, RSL-Andrews has been participating in workshops to assist member nation’s of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism share best practices for radiological emergency response. For the past two years, the information sharing has been accomplished through numerous multi-national workshops conducted in China, Morocco, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Russia and Singapore.

In May 2009, RSL conducted a three-day workshop on Maritime Radiological Search in Singapore. The team deployed five subject matter experts and a suite of detection equipment for classroom presentations, hands-on training and practical exercises.

“These workshops give RSL technical experts the opportunity to use their experience to assist partner nations in enhancing radiological emergency response programs worldwide,” said Rick Maurer, RSL-Andrews deputy chief science officer.