U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I Radiation Emergency Response Capabilities

1. U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRegion IRadiation Emergency Response Capabilities Tony Honnellio Radiation Program Manager 617 918-1456 honnellio.anthony@epa.gov

2. EPA New England Radiation ER Overview • Regional assets • Training • National assets • RadNet • Outreach • Other Federal assets

3. Regional Assets • Radiation Program provides technical assistance to the Emergency Planning and Removal Program (EPRB) • EPRB, under the Superfund program, provides: • On Scene Coordinators (OSC) • Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START) • Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) • Warehouse

4. START & ERRS • The START contract provides highly trained and technically competent support services • The ERRS contract is the mechanism by which a removal action can be accomplished. • Both contracts provide a scalable system by which the OSC can respond to an incident

5. The Warehouse • Ludlum 19 micro rad meters (gamma only) • Ludlum 2241-2 with 44-9 pancake and 43-90 alpha probes (gamma, beta, alpha) • Eberline RO20 Ion chamber (mid range gamma, beta) • Ludlum Model 15 with Neutron detector and 44-7 probe (low range gamma, beta and alpha) • RADeCo Model H-810AC HighVolume PAS • Ludlum Model 3030 Alpha/Beta Counter • Berkley SAM 935 Gamma Spectroscopy system • Siemens EPD Electronic Personnel Det.

6. New Regional Initiatives • In order to further support EPA’s national assets, two new collateral positions have been developed in each region: • Regional Radiation Advisor; Act as the technical expert for management regarding RERT activities. • Radiation Liaison; Provide the impacted Regional Radiation Program with a direct link to the RERT and serve as an advocate for the impacted Region with regard to RERT activities.

8. Training of Regional, State and Local staff • Due to the fact that most ER personnel do not work with radioactivity on a regular basis, training is essential for emergency responders. • EPA New England works closely with local, state, and other federal agencies to assist in meeting these training needs

9. Training of Regional, State and Local staff • Radiation safety training has been provided for numerous personnel in the Region. • The primary focus training program has been for emergency response personnel including Local Fire/police, State Radiation Control Program (RCP), On Scene Coordinators (OSC) and other Federal ER personnel and contractors

10. Advanced “Principles of Radiation Safety, Detection and Decontamination” June 2006 • Tour of research reactor and Van de Graff linear accelerator • Radiation detection instrumentation (including neutron sources and beam from reactor) • Radiological decontamination (Na-24, ~15 hr half life) • Principles of radiation protection • Hopefully an annual offering in the future

11. National Assets • Environmental Response Team (ERT) • Radiological Emergency Response Team • National Decontamination Team • National Air & Radiation Environmental Lab • HQ

12. Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT) • The Regional Radiation Advisor provides in-office radiological technical advice to the EPA OSCs and other Regional personnel as needed. • Coordinates with other federal, state and local programs; • Coordinates regional radiation resources, if applicable.

13. NDT Mission • To provide unique, immediate response capabilities to safely and effectively support decon activities related to chemical, biological, and radiological events. • Respond domestically and internationally, delivering scientific and engineering decon expertise • Support OSCs conducting or overseeing NSI response activities under the authorities of the NCP • Designed to integrate and operate within an ICS, along with and complementing other special forces

14. RadNet systems • The RadNet (formerly ERAMS) system is a national network of radiation air monitoring devices strategically placed throughout the Country. • The systems have been updated to include gamma spectroscopy, metrological data and telemetry thus providing near real time information on radiological conditions. • Deployable systems have also been developed

18. Outreach activities to Federal, State and Local organizations • Through participation in various outreach activities within the Emergency Planning and Response Branch. Regional radiation related response capabilities are communicated.

19. The New England Radiological Health Committee (NERHC) • NERHC is composed of the six New England Radiation Control Programs as well as the FDA and EPA Regional Radiation Program Managers. • The New England Compact was passed in each States legislation between 1967 and 1969 and is designed to promote the Radiological Health Protection of the public, provide mutual aid and assistance in radiological health matters and to facilitate the efficient use of personnel and equipment.

20. RDD Exercise • The NERHC is organizing an RDD exercise to be held in conjunction with its annual conference. • Designed to exercise the Compact and challenge Radiation Control Program staff

21. Field team evaluators for FEMA lead Radiological Emergency Program (REP): • EPA New England’s Radiation Program provides support to FEMA’s REP program. • The REP program evaluates the capability of a nuclear power plant and the surrounding community to respond to emergencies

22. Some EPA Radiation Resources • CD for your reference

23. Questions?