In an effort to address responder concerns, the Department retooled its approach to emergency responder preparedness and implemented the more simplified and responder-friendly Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program (TEPP). TEPP is a component of the overall comprehensive emergency management system established by DOE Order (DOE O) 151.1, Comprehensive Emergency Management System. TEPP integrates a basic approach to transportation emergency planning and preparedness activities under a single program with the goal to ensure DOE, its operating contractors, and state, tribal, and local emergency responders are prepared to respond promptly, efficiently, and effectively to accidents involving DOE shipments of radioactive material. TEPP is designed and implemented using an approach to ensure that initial responders to a radiological transportation accident have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to effectively and safely mitigate the accident.
The TEPP mission is to ensure that federal, state, tribal, and local responders have access to the plans, training, and technical assistance necessary to safely, efficiently, and effectively respond to transportation accidents involving DOE-owned radioactive materials. To accomplish this mission, a suite of tools have been developed to aid the response jurisdictions in their readiness activities.