Re: Military Health Physics

[Jose Julio Rozental <joseroze@netvision.net.il>]

Dear Bob,



 



During the Radiological Accident in Goiania, we became more familiar with some special military staff dedicated do Health Physics. A competent group was designated to collaborate in Goiania, operating heavy equipment to demolish contaminated houses.



As you know hierarchy is an important aspect in military organization. When the Military group arrives in Goiania, the Major called the staff and gave them an order to act as I needed to; I was there as General Coordinator to Respond the Accident.



Subsequently, personally I have had several meetings with them. I have learned a lot, as well as, I am sure, they too. I have no doubt managing accident like Goiania, in the Center of populated town; such cooperation is of enormous value.



The head of the Teletherapy unit, cause of the Goiania Accident, was donated to this group. (Off coarse after complete decontamination). 



This aspect of Health Physics is devoted to civil radiation safety aspects and it seem to me such activities is interesting to present, details and photos.







Jose Julio Rozental



joseroze@netvision.net.il



Israel 











----- Original Message ----- 



  From: BobCherry@AOL.COM 

  To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu 

  Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 5:34 AM

  Subject: Military Health Physics





  Dear Radsafers:



   



  I am on the Health Physics Society's Program Committee. I proposed to the Committee at the HPS summer meeting that the HPS have a special session on what I call “military health physics.” This would be about health physics in the Department of Defense. So now I wonder how much interest might exist for such a special session.



   



  While on active duty, I noticed that the HPS always welcomed those of us in uniform. Many HPS members have a military background. And I include DOD civilian health physicists in my definition of military health physicists.



   



  I envision this special session (at least the first one) as more of a historical review of military health physics rather than an update on current events. It would be interesting to me to see and hear about what the Services did immediately following the end of World War 2 and about how each Service's military health physics specialties evolved into their present structures.



   



  Military health physicists have been pioneers in nonionizing radiation safety and continue to lead the way now. We should hear about that. 



   



  The Squids must have some stories about the beginning of the Nuclear Navy. The Zoomies must have more to talk about than their Broken Arrows.



   



  We should be able to get the senior uniformed and civilian military health physicists to the meeting since we are holding it in their backyard to tell the junior health physicists in the audience about the wide variety of duties, missions, and assignment locations available to them and about the Services’ direct commission programs for qualified applicants.



   



  Military health physicists, often with DOE colleagues, have been involved in many interesting projects over the years. One in which I participated was the Enewetak Cleanup that was in full swing from 1977-1980 with planning before and follow-up after.



   



  The session should have lots of photographs of bygone days.



   



  Those are my brainstorming ideas. 



   



  So, what do Radsafers think? Do we want such a session?



   



  What about my present and former DOD health physics colleagues? Would you support it with presentations?



   



  The HPS Program Committee is preparing the Call for Papers for the Washington meeting right now. What should we do about a special session on military health physics?



   



  Bob Cherry, Ph.D., CHP



  Colonel, U.S. Army (retired)



   



  P.S. Another of my ideas is a Military Health Physics Section of the HPS. If we put on a successful special session, I will bring this topic up for consideration. (I anticipate that someone will remind me that the HPS already has a Government Section. I can't speak for others and although I participated in Government Section activities while in uniform, it seems to me that it is primarily for the regulator types. Not that anything is wrong with that!)