Training and Education for Responding to Radiation Emergencies

• Classroom Radiation Training Courses
• Online Radiation Courses
• Educational Competencies for Health Care Professionals
• Online Textbook About Radiation Biology and Acute and Late Radiation Effects
• Training for Medical Experts and Radiation Safety Subject Matter Experts
• See also: Practices and Drills

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Classroom Radiation Training Courses

• Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation course (MEIR) (AFRRI)
• Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/ Training Site (REAC/TS)
• Center for Radiological Nuclear Training at the Nevada National Security Site (DOE/NNSA, DHS/FEMA)
  • No cost training in support of homeland security
  • Options include online courses, resident courses, trainers that come to the workplace
• Training - Radiological Emergency Preparedness (FEMA, Center for Domestic Preparedness, Emergency Management Institute)

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Online Radiation Courses

These courses are hosted on Web sites from the originating agency.
Check what media player requirements are needed for each course.

       CDC

• Radiation Emergency Training and Education (CDC)
• Basic radiation principles
  • Radiological Contamination and Exposure (YouTube - 1:52 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
  • Types of Radiation (YouTube - 1:44 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
• Radiation Basics Made Simple (Download files to view offline)
  • Sources of Radiation (18:42)
  • Radioactive Decay (11:32)
  • Measuring Radiation (11:34)
  • Biological Effects of Radiation (9:44)
  • Radiation Protection (4:43)
  • Decontamination (18:38)
  • Environmental Impact of Radioactivity (6:15)
  • Responding to Radiation Emergencies (7:47)
• Radiation detectors: screening people for external contamination
  • How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment (Part 1) (YouTube - 19:02 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
  • Ionization Chambers (Part 2) (YouTube - 2:50 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
  • Alpha Scintillation Detectors (Part 3) (YouTube - 3:54 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
• Public Health Response to Radiological and Nuclear Threats (HHS/CDC, September 2007)
• Radiological Terrorism: Just in Time Training for Hospital Clinicians (HHS/CDC, 2006)

      Multiagency-sponsored radiation training

• Center for Radiological Nuclear Training (CTOS – Counterterrorism Operations Support, at the Nevada National Security Site, (DOE NNSA/DHS FEMA, National Security Technologies)
  • Options include online courses, resident courses, and training from teams that travel to teach at your agency’s training facilities.

      DHS/FEMA courses about Radiation, ICS, and NIMS

• FEMA Training Centers
  • Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)
  • Emergency Management Institute (EMI)
  • National Training and Education Division (NTED)
• National Preparedness Course Catalog
  • Type radiation, radiological or nuclear into search box to find courses
• Listing of Incident Command (IC) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) courses
• FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness: Resources and Training

       Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Emergency Responder Training for Response to the Aftermath of Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism
  • Nuclear Terrorism Response-National Capital Regions (NCR): ≥ 12 documents
  • Nuclear Terrorism-Los Angeles: ≥ 10 documents
  • Radiological Terrorism Response: ≥ 8 documents

      Minnesota Department of Public Safety--Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

• Complete list of training on their web site
• Selected list of their training videos shown below: 2 platforms
  • Adobe Connect (FlashPlayer) videos: printable certificate of completion available
    • The basics of nuclear power in the US and Minnesota:
      • How reactors work, reactor incidents, reactor safety (includes transcript)
    • The basics of radiation
      • What it is, radiation in the environment, health effects, exposure and contamination, personal protection, detectors, terminology and units, exposure limits (includes transcript)
  • YouTube videos
    • Emergency Worker Briefings
      • Emergency Worker Briefing:
        • Personal dosimetry devices, how to use these devices, exposure limits, and dose logs; use of KI
      • Emergency Worker Briefing Outside 10-Mile EPZ
    • Training Videos (YouTube)

      Emergency Worker Decontamination Entire Video Introduction Decontamination Chief Traffic Control Station Vehicle Monitoring Station Vehicle Decontamination Station Personnel Monitoring Station Personnel Decontamination Station (Time: 4:05) Radiation Protection Specialist Station (Time: 4:05) Registration Station Doffing Station

      Hospital and EMS workers Hospital - Intro Ambulance Overview Charge Nurse Primary RN in Contaminated Area Secondary RN in Contaminated Area Physician Radiation Safety Personnel in Clean Area Radiation Safety Personnel in Contaminated Area Clinical Recorder Safety Coordinator in Clean Area Safety Coordinator in Contaminated Area Taking an X-Ray Donning Personal Protective Equipment Doffing Personal Protective Equipment

       Other FEMA Guidance

• Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms: Risk Management Series (PDF - 12.8 MB) (DHS/FEMA 453, May 2006)

       IAEA Online Training and Education

• Online learning courses from beginner to expert level (IAEA)
• Cyber Learning Platform for Network Education and Training (CLP4NET) (registration required) (IAEA)

       Miscellaneous

• National Alliance for Radiation Readiness
• Healthcare Response Challenges after Various Kinds of Radiation Mass Casualty Incidents (HHS/TRACIE webinar 1 hour 16 minutes video lecture icon, July 11, 2018, Several experts speakers, requires registration)
  • Entire video discusses tips on assessing, triaging, treating, and following-up with patients affected by radiological and nuclear emergencies including a potential 10k nuclear detonation.
  • Strategies for handling the initial surge of patients and planning for community reception centers were also discussed.
• Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute (DOD)
• Center for Domestic Preparedness - All hazard training opportunities from DHS/FEMA (DHS/FEMA)
• Guidelines on Radiation Protection and Education and Training of Medical Professionals in the European Union (PDF - 10 KB) (Radiation Protection NO 175, 2014)
• Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN)
  • RITN Training Materials
  • RITN Exercises
  • RITN YouTube Channel
  • RITN Cytokine Administration Guidelines for Adult and Pediatric ARS

 

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Educational Competencies for Health Care Professionals

       General

• Coleman, C., Bader, J., Koerner, J., Hrdina, C., et al. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Science and the CBRNE Science Medical Operations Science Support Expert (CMOSSE). Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019 Jun 17:1-16. [PubMed Citation]
• SteelFisher GK, Blendon RJ, BruléS, Lubell KM, Jackson Brown L, Batts D, Ben-Porath E. Physician Emergency Preparedness: A National Poll of Physicians. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2015 Dec;9(6):666-80. [PubMed Citation]
• Chen DW, Helminiak C. Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century: The Federal Education and Training Interagency Group for Public Health and Medical Disaster Preparedness and Response. Dis Med Pub Health Prep 2013;7(01):4-7.
• Walsh L, Subbarao I, Gebbie K, Schor KW, Lyznicki J, Strauss-Riggs K, Cooper A, B Hsu E, King RV, Mitas JA 2nd, Hick J, Zukowski R, A Altman B, Steinbrecher RA, James JJ. Core competencies for disaster medicine and public health. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012 Mar;6(1):44-52. [PubMed Citation]
• Burkle FM Jr. The development of multidisciplinary core competencies: the first step in the professionalization of disaster medicine and public health preparedness on a global scale. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012 Mar;6(1):10-2. [PubMed Citation]
• Subbarao I, Lyznicki JM, Hsu EB, Gebbie KM, Markenson D, Barzansky B, Armstrong JH, Cassimatis EG, Coule PL, Dallas CE, King RV, Rubinson L, Sattin R, Swienton RE, Lillibridge S, Burkle FM, Schwartz RB, James JJ. A consensus-based educational framework and competency set for the discipline of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008 Mar;2(1):57-68. [PubMed Citation]
• van der Woude I, de Cock JS, Bierens JJ, Christiaanse JC. TAP CBRN preparedness: knowledge, training and networks. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;23(4):s65-9. [PubMed Citation]
• Bierens JJ, Nooij B, Sturmans F. Targeted agenda program: an innovative approach to facilitate progress in disaster health. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;23(4):s43-7. [PubMed Citation]

       Nurses

• Bowen A, Veenema TG, Schneider-Firestone S, Iddins C, Boyce D, Davis J, Thornton CP. Exploring National Nursing Readiness for a Radiological or Nuclear Incident: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Emerg Nurs. 2020 Sep;46(5):600-610. [PubMed Citation]
• Veenema TG, Lavin RP, Schneider-Firestone S, Couig MP, Langan JC, Qureshi K, Scerpella D, Sasnett L. National Assessment of Nursing Schools and Nurse Educators Readiness for Radiation Emergencies and Nuclear Events. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019 Jun 19:1-10. [PubMed Citation]
• Veenema TG, Lavin RP, Bender A, Thornton CP, Schneider-Firestone S. National Nurse Readiness for Radiation Emergencies and Nuclear Events: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Nurs Outlook. 2018 Nov 2. pii: S0029-6554(18)30334-8. [PubMed Citation]
• International Nursing Coalition for Mass Casualty Education (PDF - 279 KB)
• Waeckerle JF, Seamans S, Whiteside M, Pons PT, White S, Burstein JL, Murray R; Task Force of Health Care and Emergency Services Professionals on Preparedness for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Incidents. Executive summary: development objectives, content, and competencies for the training of emergency medical technicians, emergency physicians, and emergency nurses to care for casualties resulting from nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) incidents, Ann Emerg Med. 2001 Jun;37(6):587-601 [PubMed Citation]

       Medical Toxicologists

• Murray BP, Kim E, Ralston SA, Moran TP, Iddins C, Kazzi Z. Radiation Emergency Readiness Among US Medical Toxicologists: A Survey. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020 Jan 20:1-6. [PubMed Citation]

       Emergency Physicians

• Waeckerle JF, Seamans S, Whiteside M, Pons PT, White S, Burstein JL, Murray R; Task Force of Health Care and Emergency Services Professionals on Preparedness for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Incidents. Executive summary: development objectives, content, and competencies for the training of emergency medical technicians, emergency physicians, and emergency nurses to care for casualties resulting from nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) incidents, Ann Emerg Med. 2001 Jun;37(6):587-601 [PubMed Citation]

       Emergency Medical Technicians

• Waeckerle JF, Seamans S, Whiteside M, Pons PT, White S, Burstein JL, Murray R; Task Force of Health Care and Emergency Services Professionals on Preparedness for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Incidents. Executive summary: development objectives, content, and competencies for the training of emergency medical technicians, emergency physicians, and emergency nurses to care for casualties resulting from nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) incidents, Ann Emerg Med. 2001 Jun;37(6):587-601 [PubMed Citation]

       Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Specialists

• National Marrow Donor Program Basic Radiation Training (PDF - 428 KB) (Radiation Injury Treatment Network)
• RITN Grandrounds "Medical Response to Radiation Exposure: the Role of Hematologists" presentation (PowerPoint® - 6.3 MB) (Radiation Injury Treatment Network, May 2008)
• Wingard JR, Leahigh AK, Confer D, Edwards J, Billups RL, van den Brink M, Keating A. Preparing for the unthinkable: emergency preparedness for the hematopoietic cell transplant program. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2006 Nov;12(11):1229-38. [PubMed Citation]

       Medical Physicists

• Course for Medical Physicists to Learn to Support Radiological or Nuclear Emergencies (IAEA, WHO, IOMP, IRPA)

       Physician's Assistants

• DiMaggio C, Markenson D, Redlener I. Preparing for disasters: what should you know, and when should you know it? JAAPA. 2005 Mar;18(3):40-3, 45, 48 passim. [PubMed Citation]

       Health Professionals / Students / Workers

• Case C Jr, Coleman CN, Bader JL, Hick J, Hanfling D. Guidance, Training and Exercises for Responding to an Improvised Nuclear Device: First Receivers, Public Health. Health Phys. 2018 Feb;114(2):165-172. [PubMed Citation]
• Blumenthal DJ, Bader JL, Christensen D, Koerner J, Cuellar J, Hinds S, Crapo J, Glassman E, Potter AB, Singletary L. A sustainable training strategy for improving health care following a catastrophic radiological or nuclear incident. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014 Feb;29(1):80-6. [PubMed Citation]
• Linney ACS, Kernohan WG, Higginson R. The identification of competencies for an NHS response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNe) emergencies, Int Emerg Nurs. 2011 Apr;19(2):96-105. [PubMed Citation]
• Subbarao I, Lyznicki JM, Hsu EB, Gebbie KM, Markenson D, Barzansky B, Armstrong JH, Cassimatis EG, Coule PL, Dallas CE, King RV, Rubinson L, Sattin R, Swienton RE, Lillibridge S, Burkle FM, Schwartz RB, James JJ. A consensus-based educational framework and competency set for the discipline of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008 Mar;2(1):57-68. [PubMed Citation]
• van der Woude I, de Cock JS, Bierens JJ, Christiaanse JC. TAP CBRN preparedness: knowledge, training and networks. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;23(4):s65-9. [PubMed Citation]
• Bierens JJ, Nooij B, Sturmans F. Targeted agenda program: an innovative approach to facilitate progress in disaster health. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;23(4):s43-7. [PubMed Citation]
• Hsu EB, Thomas TL, Bass EB, Whyne D, Kelen GD, Green GB. Healthcare worker competencies for disaster training. BMC Med Educ. 2006 Mar 20;6:19. [PubMed Citation]
• Markenson D, DiMaggio C, Redlener I. Preparing health professions students for terrorism, disaster, and public health emergencies: core competencies. Acad Med. 2005 Jun;80(6):517-26. [PubMed Citation]

       Health Physics and Radiation Safety

• Berris T, Nüsslin F, Meghzifene A, Ansari A, Herrera-Reyes E, Dainiak N, Akashi M, Gilley D, Ohtsuru A. Nuclear and radiological emergencies: Building capacity in medical physics to support response. Phys Med. 2017 Oct;42:93-98. [PubMed Citation]
• Irwin W. The ROSS: A Radiological/Nuclear Subject Matter Expert Filling a Critical National Need. Health Phys. 2018 Feb;114(2):141-147.

 

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Online Textbook About Radiation Biology and Acute and Late Radiation Effects

• Online Textbook About Radiation Biology and Acute and Late Radiation Effects (University of Pittsburgh)
  • 21 chapters written by academic radiation biologists from 4 medical centers
  • Suitable for students at all levels of training
  • Part of the HHS/NIH/NIAID radiation and nuclear countermeasures program

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Training for Medical Experts and Radiation Safety Subject Matter Experts

• CBRNE Medical Operations Science Support Expert (CMOSSE)
  • Coleman, C., Bader, J., Koerner, J., Hrdina, C., et al. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Science and the CBRNE Science Medical Operations Science Support Expert (CMOSSE). Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019 Jun 17:1-16. [PubMed Citation]
• Counter-Terrorism Medicine
  • Court M, Edwards B, Issa F, Voskanyan A, Ciottone G. Counter-Terrorism Medicine: Creating a Medical Initiative Mandated by Escalating Asymmetric Attacks. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2020 Dec;35(6):595-598. [PubMed Citation]
• Radiological Operations Support Specialist (ROSS)
  • Description: radiation protection specialist trained and exercised to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any radiological or nuclear incident.
  • ROSS information web portal is hosted by CRCPD: information includes
    • ROSS Training calendar
    • ROSS stories
    • ROSS links
    • ROSS guidance documents
  • Irwin W, The ROSS: A Radiological/Nuclear Subject Matter Expert Filling a Critical National Need, Health Phys 2018;114(2):141-147. (Provides a detailed description of training and duties) [PubMed Citation]
  • Overview and integration of 3 types of ROSS specialists into the radiation emergency response (PDF - 18 MB) (Dan Blumenthal, Ph.D., DOE)
  • DHS Overview of ROSS responders (DHS)
  • More radiation incident information for those training for ROSS certification is available to those who register and are accepted on RadResponder.net
• RadResponder
  • CBRN Responder: umbrella organization for RadResponder (See especially at 1h 45min time stamp for RadResponder specifically) (YouTube - 2:10:51)
  • Complete RadResponder Playlist on YouTube (YouTube)
  • RadResponder: functions, assets and sponsors (YouTube - 13:08 minutes)
• Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN)
  • Extensive Training Materials: documents and videos
  • RITN Acute Radiation Syndrome Treatment Guidelines (PDF - 2.53 MB) (RITN, October 2020)
  • Cytokine Administration Triage Guidelines for Acute Radiation Syndrome (Adult and Pediatric)
    • The purpose of these guidelines are to give physicians, advanced practitioners and nurses (medical providers) simple myeloid cytokine triage guidelines to assist with the administration of these pharmaceuticals to adult and pediatric casualties in the immediate aftermath of a radiological disaster.
    • Formats available
      • 4x6 card (PDF - 635 KB)
      • 8.5x11 size (PDF - 678 KB)
      • 24x36 poster size (PDF - 129 KB)
• Medical Physicists
  • Course for Medical Physicists to Learn to Support Radiological or Nuclear Emergencies (IAEA, WHO, IOMP, IRPA)

• PowerPoint® files can be viewed with Microsoft® PowerPoint® or with PowerPoint Online.
• Downlaod Flash Player