Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Transportation radiological emergency preparedness: STAR 95 Exercise final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/353372· OSTI ID:353372

Emergency response for a transportation accident involving radiological materials, while not inherently difficult, presents a challenge for several reasons. These accidents, although they can occur anywhere, are rare. Also, although the health consequences are usually slight, accidents involving radioactive materials generally cause a great deal of concern, both for the emergency responders and the general public. How can communities be prepared for an event that requires some technical knowledge, but is so rare that it will never occur in most areas, without expending an effort disproportionate to the actual risk? How can one appropriately deal with an event that may cause excessive public concern? These questions are at the heart of the preparedness issues this program addressed. The overall goal of the Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program was to establish the framework for a coordinated response by all levels of government to a transportation accident involving radioactive material. The Program involved both preparedness activities and the development, conduct and evaluation of a field exercise in Saratoga County, New York. This Report concentrates on the functional activities, lessons learned, recommendations, and action plans for improving preparedness and response to a transportation accident involving radioactive materials.

Research Organization:
New York State Emergency Management Office, Albany, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety, and Health, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-95CH10636
OSTI ID:
353372
Report Number(s):
DOE/CH/10636--T1; ON: DE99002787
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English