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Awareness Level

Awareness level courses are designed for responders who require the skills necessary to recognize and report a potential catastrophic incident or who are likely to witness or investigate an event involving the use of hazardous and/or explosive devices.

 

DHS Course #: AWR-140-W

Introduction to Radiological/Nuclear WMD Operations [PREVENTION/RESPONSE]

 

 

This web-based training course presents a radiological/nuclear WMD overview consisting of ionizing radiation fundamentals, terminology, health effects, and recognition factors. This information is requisite knowledge for responders performing the interdiction/prevention mission as well as first responders and other personnel who are likely to be the first to arrive on the scene of a radiological/nuclear incident. This fundamental knowledge of ionizing radiation and its effects is vital to responder safety, allowing performance of their mission while keeping the risk to themselves and the public as low as reasonably achievable.

 

Course Objectives: Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the fundamentals of radiation, radioactive material, ionization, and contamination.
• Describe the indicators, signs, and symptoms of exposure to radiation.
• Recognize the presence of radiological material from radiological postings (colors and symbols), container shapes/types, or unusual signs that may indicate the threat of a radiological incident, and make appropriate notifications for additional agencies and resources that may be needed.
• Describe the radiological/nuclear WMD threat and its potential impact on the community.

Eligibility: State, local, tribal, and territorial responders in the professional response disciplines as well as non-governmental organizations, including faith-based and non-profit groups, private industry, individual citizens, families, and communities.

Certificate: Certificates are issued to attendees upon successful completion of the course.

Cost: All training and course materials are provided at no cost to eligible participants. Funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Preparedness Directorate U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

 

Compliance: This course enhances the competencies defined in National Fire Prevention Association NFPA 472, “Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/WMD Incidents,” for responding to specific radiological/nuclear WMD incidents, and augments the responder’s knowledge and skills to perform those duties and functions.

 

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Prevention Level

Prevention level courses are designed to improve the nation’s capability to detect unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological material for use against the nation.

 

DHS Course #: PER-300-W

Primary Screener/Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) Refresher Course [PREVENTION]

 

This web-based training (WBT) course provides refresher training to primary screeners who have successfully completed the instructor-led PER-243 Primary Screener/Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) Course. This course emphasizes crucial training points from the PRD course, while reviewing the knowledge and skills required in the operation and employment of a PRD during the initial detection of radioactive materials in varying scenarios.

 

Course Objectives: Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the properties of radiation and radiological/nuclear material.
  
• List the recommended procedures for operating the PRD.
  
• Select the appropriate response to PRD alarms on facilities, people, packages, and vehicles.
  
• Identify legal considerations when using a PRD for radiological/nuclear detection missions.

Eligibility: It is the responsibility of the jurisdiction to select course participants.

Certificate: Certificates are issued to attendees upon successful completion of the course.

Cost: All training and course materials are provided at no cost to eligible participants. Funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Preparedness Directorate (FEMA/NPD) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Compliance: This course complies with ANSI N42.37-2006, “American National Standard for Training Requirements for Homeland Security Purposes Using Radiation Detector Instrumentation for Interdiction and Prevention.”

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Response Level

By providing four tiers of response-level training, first responders progressively learn radiological/nuclear response tasks starting with the CTOS Radiological Awareness Level, continuing with Operations Level, Technical Level, and the Management and Planning Level.

 

DHS Course #: PER-307-W

Introduction to Improvised Nuclear Device Effects and Response Strategies [RESPONSE]

 

 

This web-based training (WBT) course provides first responders, leaders, emergency planners, and support personnel with nuclear detonation specific response guidance, such as recognition, immediate actions, response planning, damage zones, fallout/radiation hazards, and shelter and evacuation strategies. This course forms the foundation for additional courses in improvised nuclear device (IND) response operations, management, and planning.

 

This course provides an overview of the expected effects from the detonation of an IND in a major U.S. city. It also provides an overview of the current preplanning guidance and response strategy recommendations to maximize the preservation of life in an urban nuclear detonation of unconscionable magnitude.

 

Course Objectives:

• Given a list, identify the critical elements and gaps in planning for a response to an IND detonation.
• Given a list on the prompt effects from a low yield (10 KT) nuclear detonation in an urban environment, select the identifiers of an IND detonation and the main elements of each damage zone.
• Given reference material, maps, activities, and information on the dangerous effects of an IND detonation, identify the five different zones and state the safety considerations for an IND response plan.
• Given statements and corresponding graphics on response strategies and safety considerations as a result of an IND detonation, identify the effective sheltering and evacuation considerations, and why cascading effects multiply the dangers and impede response efforts.
• Given an overview of PPD-8 and its components, locate the applicable documents and reference.
• Given a review of The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned, recognize the hindrances that impeded response operations.

Eligibility: It is the responsibility of the jurisdiction to select course participants.

Certificate: Certificates are issued to attendees upon successful completion of the course.

Cost: All training and course materials are provided at no cost to eligible participants. Funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Preparedness Directorate (FEMA/NPD) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Compliance: This course enhances the competencies defined in National Fire Protection Association NFPA 472, “Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/WMD Incidents,” for responding to specific radiological/nuclear WMD incidents, and augments the responder’s knowledge and skills to perform those duties and functions.

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DHS Course #: PER-325-W

RadResponder Mobile App Training [RESPONSE]

 

This web-based training (WBT) course provides the skills to use the RadResponder Mobile App to report radiological/nuclear measurements to the RadResponder Network.

 

Course Objectives: Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Input and send radiation data to the Rad Responder Network through use of the Mobile App.
  
• Select event menus and configure settings for both a specific instrument and critical data in the performance of a mission.
  

Eligibility: It is the responsibility of the jurisdiction to select course participants.

Certificate: Certificates are issued to attendees upon successful completion of the course.

Cost: All training and course materials are provided at no cost to eligible participants. Funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Preparedness Directorate (FEMA/NPD) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Compliance: This course enhances the competencies defined in National Fire Protection Association NFPA 472, “Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/WMD Incidents,” for responding to specific radiological/nuclear WMD incidents, and augments the responder’s knowledge and skills to perform those duties and functions.