DOE offers first-responder programs for emergencies involving radioactivity
Special to Fire Engineering
By Dennis Kubicki,
fire protection engineer
DOE Office of Environment,
Safety and Health, Germantown, Maryland
In a given year, more than three million shipments of radioactive materials are transported throughout the United States. The hazards associated with these shipments vary according to the nature of the materials and include contamination through personal proximity at the accident scene and by airborne dispersal of radioactive particulates and gases during a fire. During a transportation-related accident, local emergency services organizations may well confront unanticipated conditions for which they may not have an appropriate level of knowledge or experience.
In the mid-1990s, the Department of Energy (DOE) placed renewed emphasis on implementing the comprehensive, multifaceted National Transportation Program to ensure an effective emergency response capability for accidents involving the transportation of radioactive materials within its responsibilities. (Although the DOE’s shipments equate to less than one percent of the total, the quantity of materials shipped represent 75 percent of the source radiation.) Among other resources, this program includes various contamination monitoring “assets” and trained specialists that could be sent to the scene of any incident. A complete description of this program can be found at http://www. ntp.doe.gov.
Recognizing that local fire departments would shoulder the bulk of the responsibilities for initial emergency response and scene stabilization, the DOE felt an obligation to provide an appropriate level of training to the emergency services organizations located along DOE transportation routes. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Fluor Daniel Fernald (a DOE environmental remediation contractor) developed a training program under the “train-the-trainer” concept. The partnership with the IAFF on this effort was in recognition of its many years of wide-ranging experience in developing and presenting effective hazardous materials incident response training courses. In the approximate two-year time frame during which this training was provided, the program reached approximately 750 fire department representatives in 52 separate classes across the country. The training initiative is now available on the Internet, as a sub-site on the Department of Energy’s Fire Protection Program Web site, located at http://tis. eh.doe.gov/fire.
All course materials including the instructor’s manual, the student manual, overheads, and slides can be accessed and downloaded on any personal computer. The resources may be used unaltered or may be adapted to suit local conditions or subject areas in need of additional emphasis. [An advisory is posted that cautions that both the alteration of course material and the presentation of the training should be done by an individual(s) with some knowledge and experience. The DOE is willing to provide limited technical assistance on request.]
Course Components
As developed, the course is intended to be presented over a three-day time frame, but it can be revised to fit into a tighter schedule. The first day is devoted to a general review of hazardous materials incident response fundamentals, such as hazard recognition and shipping concerns; the focus of the following two days is on radiological issues. Individual units include lectures, videotape, and group-learning activities, such as the evaluation of representative accident scenarios.
The course illustrates the seemingly inscrutable principles of radiation physics and the health effects of radiation exposure. The goal is to overcome “unreasonable” fears that might adversely impact a timely and effective response to an emergency while, at the same time, helping to ensure that appropriate safeguards are instituted during incidents to minimize the risk to responding personnel. The intent is not to replicate the training received as part of conventional hazardous materials incident response instruction but to emphasize the unique challenges posed during and after an accident involving radioactive commodities.
Other areas of instruction covered in the program include the following:
- packaging, transportation, and storage of radioactive materials, with emphasis on the design integrity of specific containers;
- the basic types and functions of hand-held instruments and an introduction to atmospheric monitoring capabilities provided by the DOE as part of its responsibilities to assist with accident mitigation;
- placarding and labeling requirements and other methods to assist with hazard recognition;
- types of personal protective equipment and their relative suitability for protection from radiation; and
- proper decontamination methods.
Additionally, the principles and practices of incident command are addressed in the context of an accident involving radioactive materials. A number of case studies, based on actual events, illustrate the diverse components of incident command, including preplanning.
Other Instructional Resources
Whereas the DOE/IAFF course was developed with a focus on local fire departments near DOE shipment routes, a number of the DOE’s site emergency services and training organizations have developed “in-house” radiological emergency instructional programs for first responders. In a cooperative effort with these organizations, these course materials have also been converted into electronic files and posted on the above-referenced fire protection Web site.
Hanford (Site) Fire Department, Richland, Washington
This multifaceted program strives to instill in every emergency responder a basic understanding of the spectrum of hazards related to accidents involving radioactive materials and covers the fundamentals of contamination, biological effects of exposure to radiation, and appropriate strategies and tactics for the effective response to accidents. In many respects, the course addresses the same issues as the DOE/IAFF program; however, the presentation methods (text, graphics, and so on) are significantly different so that course developers may choose from a variety of instructional approaches. The training resources available include the instructor’s manual and student handouts.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
A multidisciplinary group from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has developed a “phased” Emergency Responder Radiological Training course with an emphasis on the presentation of information that would be essential during a radiological accident involving patients/victims. Unique aspects of this program compared with the two previously described include a much greater level of detail on topics such as radiation dose limits, personnel monitoring programs, and contamination control. Additionally, the course is organized so that it is suitable (with some enhancement) for self-study. The student Study Guide, which includes self-assessment examinations with answer keys, is provided on the Web site.
The booklet “The DOE Fire Protection Program Web Site,” which describes the technical, instructional, and other services available from the DOE, may be obtained through Dennis Kubicki by calling (301) 903-4794 or e-mailing him at dennis. kubicki@eh.doe.gov.
New Jersey mandates automatic sprinklers in dorms
In early July, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed into law the Dormitory Safety Trust Fund Act (S-891), requiring the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in all dormitory rooms in public and private colleges, universities, and boarding schools throughout the state within four years.
Under the law, owners of buildings used as dormitories for students at public or private schools or at other educational public and private institutions must install automatic fire suppression systems. Dormitories, as described in the law, are buildings with rooms used as residences or overnight sleeping for individuals or groups; fraternity or sorority houses-whether or not the buildings are owned by an educational institution-are included.
Each entity that owns a dormitory is required to file within 120 days (of enactment) a sprinkler installation plan, including costs and projected completion dates, with the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The plan must also stipulate that installation will be completed in four years.
The bill also establishes the Dormitory Safety Trust Fund within the educational facilities authority (EFA), which will be used to provide loans to the schools to install the sprinkler systems: no-interest loans to public or private institutions of higher education and two percent loans to secondary schools, military and boarding schools, or other such places. The state treasurer is required to establish a program to provide the loans.
In addition, the bill amends a section of the uniform Fire Safety Act to provide that the Department of Community Affairs may establish fees and issue penalties against the state; its agency, department, or instrumentality; or an interstate agency to obtain compliance with the act. As a result, the DCA can issue fees against public colleges and universities.
Sprinkler installation projects begun up to 12 months before the bill’s effective date are eligible to be included in the plan, and the cost of the installation is eligible for inclusion in any loan request.
Under the law, the commissioner of community affairs may extend time frames for installation if the time frame would pose an unreasonable hardship or if the installation is impossible for reasons beyond the entity’s control.
Senate passes FIRE Bill as an attachment to defense authorization legislation, but future is uncertain
At press time, the Senate passed a $309.8 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 Defense Authorization Bill (S. 2549) with the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act language included as an amendment (S. AMDT. 3753) by a vote of 97 to 3. The amendment, introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and cosponsored by 16 other senators, would authorize $3.1 billion over six years in direct grants to the fire service. Funding would begin at $100 million in FY 2001 and gradually increase to $1 billion in FY 2006. (The original FIRE Bill authorizes $1 billion per year.)
The FY 2001 Defense Authorization Act must now go to conference, where questions over whether the defense bill is the proper place to authorize spending for the fire service must be resolved. The Defense Authorization Bill authorizes funds for Pentagon operations, military construction, and family housing, as well as the Energy Department’s nuclear weapons program.
The House and the Senate will have to resolve differences between their respective measures. The House version (H.R. 4205) does not contain the FIRE Act. Legislators seeking to limit the amount of spending in the measure may consider the FIRE Act nongermane to the bill and attempt to remove it from the conference report.
Even if approved, the actual appropriation of the FIRE Act money must again go before both branches of Congress in an appropriations bill. (As an authorization bill, the Defense Authorization Act would provide Congress with a description of how the money is to be allocated and the maximum amount to be spent.)
The major fire service organizations were scheduled to testify on the FIRE Act before Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain on July 25 (after press time). In addition, Representatives Curt Weldon, Steny Hoyer, and Bill Roth and other supporters were working on adding the $100 million appropriation for the fire service into one of the FY 2001 appropriations bills that was left out of the final FY 2000 supplemental spending bill.
Members of the fire service are urged to contact members of the House and Senate Conference Committee and advise them of the dire need for this funding. For additional information, contact Jerry Ross, Congressional Fire Services Institute’s legislative director, at (202) 371-1277.
Clinton establishes public safety Medal of Valor
An executive order issued by President Bill Clinton on June 30 establishes a Presidential Medal of Valor for firefighters and law enforcement officers who show “extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty in the exercise of their official duties.” Firefighters and paramedics (serving a public agency with or without compensation) and law enforcement officials (police, correctional personnel, probation, and parole officers) are eligible.
The Justice Department will submit a design of an award medal and certificate by December 1. The President may select up to 10 recipients a year from among people recommended by the Attorney General. Nominations will close April 1 of each year; presentations will be made during Police Week in May.
U.S. DOT to participate in Washington state pipeline inspections
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety and the state of Washington have formed a partnership under which Washington State pipeline safety inspectors will participate in inspections of interstate pipeline facilities. Areas covered in the agreement include damage prevention, construction, accident investigations, emergency response coordination, and other forms of inspection.
The partnership agreement mirrors provisions in the Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of 2000 (S. 2409/H.R. 4276), which would strengthen state partnerships with the DOT and allow states to monitor new construction, investigate accidents, and participate in local preparedness and damage prevention activities. (Editor’s note: At press time, these bills were in committee at their respective branch.)
Under the proposed legislation, the DOT would be authorized to reimburse up to 100 percent of a state’s costs in monitoring new pipeline construction or investigating accidents. The legislation also would increase the public’s right to know, making public information about the safety of pipelines and the steps pipeline companies are taking to protect people and the environment.
In June 1999, a pipeline failure in Bellingham, Washington, resulted in a $3.05 million civil penalty (the largest ever proposed against a pipeline operator in the history of the federal pipeline safety program) against Olympic Pipeline, owned and operated by Equilon, for safety violations related to the failure.
Bill would limit liability of donors of equipment to volunteer fire departments
The Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act (H.R. 4736)-introduced by Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE), Rick Boucher (D-VA), and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and cosponsored by Representatives James Talent (R-MO) and Curt Weldon (R-PA)-would limit the liability of business entities and fire departments donating surplus equipment to volunteer fire departments. The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
The legislation is modeled after a bill passed by the Texas state legislature in 1997, under which companies and fire departments donate their surplus equipment to the Texas Forest Service, which then certifies the equipment and passes it on to volunteer fire departments in need. The donated equipment must meet all original specifications before it can be sent to volunteer departments. The program has already received in excess of $6 million worth of equipment for volunteer fire departments, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Fire service members are urged to contact their representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 4736. Representatives’ addresses and telephone numbers may be obtained by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
NFAAA forms Rapid E-mail System
The National Fire Academy Alumni Association (NFAAA), an 11,500-member association formed a little over two years ago, has formed a rapid communication system. According to NFAAA Board Chairman Frank Livingston, EFO, NFAAA members and associate/booster members will be appointed to virtually all of the nation’s 32,000-plus fire, EMS, and emergency service organizations nationwide. “Those appointed will have access to a computer, the Internet, and e-mail capabilities,” says Livingston. “These leaders will play a major role in getting the word out on what is happening within the association and the industry as well as providing feedback from the field. The NFAAA is a grassroots organization, not driven from the top down.”
NFAAA members who would like to be a part of the NFAAA Rapid E-mail System should send an e-mail to FrankL@ TopAssistant.com
NFPA distributes “The Great Escape” kits to fire departments
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sent to fire departments throughout North America the free safety campaign kit “Fire Drills: The Great Escape!” in preparation for Fire Prevention Week (FPW) to be celebrated October 8-14. The kit, which contains resources provided by Fire Prevention Week partners KIDDE Safety, Lowe’s Home Safety Council, the U.S. Fire Administration, and the USAA Educational Foundation, will help prepare schoolchildren to plan and practice fire drills in their homes.
The objective of “The Great Escape” campaign is to motivate families to develop and practice home fire escape plans and participate in “The Great Escape” on Wednesday, October 11, at 7 p.m.
Incentive prizes are being offered to encourage participation in the initiative. The grand prize for the winning family will be a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, valued at $10,000. Fire departments could qualify for the RobotronicsT Sparky Robot. Ten prizes of a Shafton Sparky costume and 100 full-size Sparky puppets will also be awarded.
Fire departments planning fire safety open houses may obtain FPW in a box, complete with posters, stickers, fire hats, a banner, and two educational videos for children, along with 200 escape grids. The kit may be ordered at 1-800-344-3555.
Congress funds improvements for Capitol fire safety
The House of Representatives and the Senate approved funding for more than $17 million in fire safety improvements in the Capitol buildings as part of the Military Construction Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4425). Among the fire safety violations in the Capitol complex cited in a report by the Office of Compliance were lack of fire barriers, exit signs, emergency lighting, emergency power systems, emergency exits, and fire suppression and fire alarms.
Virginia Department of Emergency Services has new name
Effective July 1, 2000, the name of the Virginia Department of Emergency Services was changed to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The address and other information on how to reach the agency follows: 10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236-3713; telephone: (804) 897-6500; fax: (804) 897-6506; Web site:
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