AMS National Reachback Capability - New Tools for Helping Emergency Responders
The Remote Sensing Laboratory’s (RSL) Aerial Measuring System (AMS) is one of the emergency response assets belonging to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The AMS is used to detect, measure, and track radioactive material before and during emergencies to locate sources or determine contamination levels. Since September 11, 2001, increasing numbers of local, state, and federal entities have developed aerial radiation detection capabilities. NNSA has recognized a need by these entities for an AMS Reachback Center that would provide training and assistance on all aspects of AMS. The Center will assist local, state, and federal agencies in establishing the skills, resources, and training needed for a successful AMS regional operation. Beginning in January 2008, and continuing through April 2008, a pilot program was created in collaboration between NNSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The purpose of this collaboration was to provide aerial radiological surveillance and equipment technique training to local law enforcement offices in four major U.S. cities: Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles. The Mobile Aerial Radiological Surveillance (MARS) training curriculum was jointly developed by NNSA and DNDO headquarters and NNSA support teams. A total of 44 students participated in the training events held during this period. The positive reaction to this program has led to the establishment of the RSL as the headquarters for the National Aerial Measuring System Reachback (NAMSR) Center. The NAMSR Center will provide an AMS Home Team stand-by duty team for local, state, and federal agencies to discuss, plan, and analyze available data for aerial responses. An additional role of the Center will be to serve as the source of subject matter experts (SME) for the training of newly established aerial radiological monitoring assets. The purpose of this paper is to review the history, success, and future plans of the National AMS Reachback Center.
- Research Organization:
- National Security Technologies, LLC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC52-06NA25946
- OSTI ID:
- 992610
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NV/25946-585; TRN: US1100409
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: HPS 2009 Mid-year Proceedings, Jan 31, 2009
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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