The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has taken forward its training and knowledge transfer initiative in the field radiation emergency management. After concluding a two and a half week workshop in Tulln, Austria between October 8 and 25 that was aimed at professionals in Europe, the organization is now gearing up for its next meet at Rabat, Morocco between November 5 and 16, that will target African countries. The final workshop for the year has been scheduled between November 26 and December 7, the venue, Texas, USA.
In a clear response to nuclear and radiological accident induced emergencies, the workshops are a step towards improving the efficiency of responding to these hazards based on globally accepted standards. Knowledge transfer is facilitated through theoretical understanding of best practices but participants are also given the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice. The sessions include:
- traditional classroom based teachings
- lab activity
- field visits
- collaborative participation
- debates and discussions
Participants will have the opportunity to explore the usage of radiation detectors and personal protective equipment while becoming better acquainted with crisis time public communication techniques.
Activities during the workshop at Tulln, Austria included visits to:
- an emergency operations center
- medical emergency outlets
- the state of the art Zwentendorf nuclear training power plant
Experts and professionals from a variety of fields with diverse backgrounds and credentials have come together in these workshops to share their ideas and experiences in the field. The Civil Protection School of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior was the venue for the workshop in Tulln, Austria. Besides being a certified emergency preparedness and response (EPR) capacity building center, the institution has a 60 year track record imparting radiation protection related knowledge.
The workshops have been designed in accordance with the IAEA safety standards – a consolidated list of suggestions to avert nuclear related accidents – in a conscious effort towards improving preparedness to combat radiation emergencies.