NNSA Contributes to Radiological Response Training Course | National Nuclear Security Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) contributed last week to a training course in Harrogate, Tenn. at Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM). More than 350 students and regional medical professionals participated in the course designed to prepare medical professionals to treat victims of terrorist attacks involving radiological materials and chemical agents.

The course, titled Agents of Opportunities for Terrorism, was jointly conducted by NNSA’s Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office of Environmental Health Emergencies.

During the first day, participants learned how to identify and treat radiation-induced injuries and illnesses. The second day of instruction, led by the ACMT, covered diagnosing and managing injuries and illnesses caused by chemical agents.

Originally developed by the CDC, Agents of Opportunities for Terrorism has been offered for the past three years to university personnel, hospital personnel and public health departments across the country. This week was the first time the course was offered to medical students on a university campus. Other participants included doctors, paramedics, nurses, and members of police, fire and other first response teams.

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Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.