Re: Instrumentation for Emergencies -Reply -Reply

[Charles Willis <CAW@nrc.gov>]

Mike, Alan, et al.,

The situation may have changed but, in all our discussions on the Interagency
Committee on Emergency Instrumentation, cost was a major consideration.  The
number of accidents involving significant levels of radiation is so small that little
diversion of  resources from other emergency provisions is justified.  Thus,
emphasis was placed on the civil defense instruments because they already have
been purchased.  Of course, FEMA has unloaded its supply of instruments but the
CD instruments continue to exist.

As has been stated, the instrumentation you needs depends on the event in
question, and I believe that for most events the CD instruments will do the job.  If
the dose rates are not dangerously high, the emergency workers should do their
jobs, especially where life-saving is involved, and worry about the lesser
radiological issues, such as contamination control, later, after help arrives.  It is
easy to conceive of scenarios where this course of action could endanger the
emergency personnel, but the risks seem trivial compared to the risks these
people accept every day.  

Personal opinion, of course.

Charlie Willis
caw@nrc.gov
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