[ RadSafe ] ARTICLE: North American First Responders Lack Radiation Train...

[Cindy Bloom]

Thanks Lou,

I think both are needed.  As responsibilities pile on, its helpful to have 
quickly accessible aids that remind us of us today's requirements.  Because 
first responders spend most of their time responding to events that don't 
involve radiation (or other infrequently encountered materials), it is 
helpful to have the "rules" immediately accessible during the particular 
response.

(I meant to respond to the list the first time...)

Cindy

At 02:24 PM 11/1/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>In a message dated 11/1/2005 11:49:15 A.M. Central Standard Time, 
>radbloom at comcast.net writes:
>The solution seems obvious.  Responders don't need to memorize action
>levels, but they should have the action levels available (laminated cards
>might work) with the instrument or dosimeter used to measure the levels
>(radiation or chemical).  They should also have training sufficient to use
>the provided tools.
>
>If the levels are estimated by experts (rather than measured directly), the
>experts should include reminders regarding guidance on first response
>activities associated with the estimated levels.
>
>Cindy
>
>In my experience more often then not the problems arise when the Responder 
>has the instrumentation available to them but little training on same.
>
>Training is the key.
>
>Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET
>FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI
>LNMolino at aol.com
>979-690-7559 (Office)
>979-412-0890 (Cell Phone)
>979-690-7562 (Office Fax)
>
>"A Texan with a Jersey Attitude"
>
>The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and 
>the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or 
>organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with 
>unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is 
>intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or 
>confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed 
>in the public domain by the original author.