Re: Realistic training (info) -Reply

["Jim Ogden" <James.Ogden@tdh.state.tx.us>]

Just wanted to comment on the use of Coleman mantels - the new 
mantels by Coleman no longer contain Thorium.  However, the mantels 
provided under the brand name Primus still would be good for this use 
as they still contain Thorium and have the appropriate warnings on 
the package.  These mantels are readily available (Use them in 
Scouting all of the time).

Thanks,





 
> Subject:       Re: Realistic training (info) -Reply

At 12:23 PM 3/9/98 -0600, you wrote:
>In my Emergency Preparedness inspections (back in the good old days) , I
recall >some licensees using coleman lantern mantles placed on simulated
patients to add >realism and test capabilities for surveys.  I think you can
still purchase >lantern mantles that contain thorium.  I also recall some
facilities that >contracted with a hospital to provide
>99mto04 which is a routinely used short-lived radionuclide.  The technetium was
>diluted and used to simulate area contamination.

>The usual disclaimers.  KMP@NRC.COM  
>
>

Dear Mr Prendergast and Radsafers, 

       When I sent my message emphasizing that the  training needs to have a
more realistic scenario, I was not considering only the lessons learned as
cause and consequences of the TMI accident, but also and more to the causes
and consequences of the two most serious  nuclear and radiological accidents
to have occurred  to date,  April 86 and September 87. The Chernobyl and
Goiania accidents have resulted in the reexamination of many emergencies
planning principles and practices. The training should not to be addressed
to simulate only a contaminated area, but the capacity to involve all
integrated planning conception that must be activated  in  the
Infrastructure and Functional elements of the Plan. Who among us, have been
trained before in the following legacies of both accidents:
The Legacy of Chernobyl: transboundary consequences; sarcophagus; conflict
of information; contradictory value of release; contradictory value of
consequences; high migration and contamination of soil and structures;
accident not previously predicted in any scenario; fire fighting not well
prepared; psychological impact; human impact.
The Legacy of Goiania: Singular accident that happened in the Center of a
City of more than one million inhabitant;  migration and contamination of
soil; 3,500 cubic meter of Waste, now in a Repository 20 Km from Goiania;
accident not previously predicted in any scenario; total ignorance on the
fundamental of radioactivity by the population; psychological impact, human
impact; 

Many common legacies, including the media misinform and lack of Safety Culture.

I do believe that in your Emergency Preparedness inspections (back in the
good old days), as you mentioned, training for Mitigation, Communication and
Psychological Impact was not  so complex.

J. J. Rozental <josrozen@netmedia.net.il>
Israel

        



James H. Ogden, Jr., Emergency Planner
WIPP Transportation Project
INTERNET Address (james.ogden@tdh.state.tx.us)
(512) 834-6688 ext 2016
(512) 834-6654 FAX