Radiation Protection Courses for the Police & Fire Service

Primarily based around the needs of the Police & Fire Services, these courses are designed to provide practical advice and guidance on the radiation protection issues experienced by the first responder during an incident involving ionising radiation. The courses cover CBRN (Radiological & Nuclear) and HAZMAT events.

The 'R & N in CBRN' News Letter



Issue 1Q 2010 now available - download here, and sign-up using the panel on the right.

‘The R & N in CBRN’ Ionactive Consulting will be running a number of CBRN radiation protection courses during 2010 for the UK Emergency Services (combined blue lights). The course will run over three days – most likely at Police / Fire Service Training Centres.

It will provide radiation protection training to the recognised standard of a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS). Our aim is to provide an innovative, rewarding and cost effective course which is a real alternative to what is currently available in the market place.



The following list presents some examples of course content (this is only a selection from the complete course syllabus - see course programme download on the right):

• Nature of ionising radiation / radiation protection basics (Day 1)
• CBRN - The Radiological & Nuclear Hazard (Day 1)
• Internal / External hazards from Radiation / Contamination (Day 1)
• Biological effects and radiological risk (Day 1)
• Radiation Instrumentation for UK CBRN Response (Day 2)
• Demonstration and Hands On use of Current CBRN Radiation Monitoring Equipment using the Home Office Approved List of equipment (Day 2)
• Communicating Radiation Risk to the Public and Colleagues (Day 2)
• Tabletop Exercise on Hazard, Risk and Controls for the Emergency Services (Day 2)
• Radioactive Materials Transport - how this applies to CBRN (Day 3)
• Project Cyclamen - how this applies to Emergency Services (Day 3)
• Table Top Exercise: ‘The Dirty Bomb’ (Day 3)

The course fees are currently set at £600 per delegate. Each delegate will receive a comprehensive colour printed workbook and achievement certificate (following completion of the course assessment on Day 3). 

This two day (at your venue) course is designed to be specific to service needs, and to the recognised standard of a UK Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS).

This specific course addresses the issues that are important to the fire service in terms of first response to an incident which may involve ionising radiation / radioactive / nuclear materials.

Examples of course content include:

• A description of the types and nature of ionising radiation sources found in the workplace
• A description of the types and nature of ionising radiation sources found during the transport of radioactive materials
• Radiation dose limits as applied to emergency intervention (incident response)
• The types of equipment used to monitor radiation and measure the dose accumulated by fire service personnel
• Risk – Risk perception and comparison of radiation risk with other risks experienced by the fire fighter
• Chemical Protection suits – when to use them (and when they are unnecessary and actually compromise radiation safety)
• Use of DIM (Detection, Identification & Monitoring) capability
• Radiation Protection Principles as applied to the Fire Service
• The role of the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) - what the Fire Service should expect of them
• A description of the NAIR and RADSAFE schemes
• CBRN - a summary of Radiological and Nuclear Hazards 

 The course provides: 

• Colour course notes
• Optional test (inclusive of Achievement Certificate)
• Unbeatable delegate rate (or package fee)

Ionactive also offers a CBRN Radiation Awareness training day. This course is aimed at all interested parties who come under the general banner 'CBRN Resilience'. Typical delegate sectors will include:

• Emergency Management Planning
• Local Government
• Hazardous Area Response Teams
• Incident management and Liaison
• Healthcare Provision
• Hospital Response
• Emergency Planning
• Insurance Industry
• Financial   

The fees for this course are £250 plus VAT per delegate.

The morning session takes a basic and brief introduction to ionising radiations and the Radiological & Nuclear Hazards in CBRN. We also look at the external and internal hazards and the principles of radiation protection.

The afternoon session examines the availability of radioactive sources (for malicious purposes) and presents a summary of the likely outcomes (if used in a radiological dispersal device or similar). We also summarise the application of UK legislation in a CBRN event, discuss the real risks and public perception, and outline where to seek more detailed information.

Ionactive Consulting has experience working with the emergency services during demonstration exercises (to nuclear standard). We have also designed numerous exercises (including ones for nuclear licensed sites), acted as Exercise Manager on several occations and also taken the role of Emergency Controller (in front of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate).

We aim to roll 'The R&N in CBRN' course outside the UK - for anyone interested in Radiological & Nuclear issues. Interested potential delegates include:

• US Law Enforcement Officers
• US Firefighters / National Fire Academy
• Homeland Security