Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
James Bassham, Director

Technical Hazards

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Technical Hazards section is a specialized group dealing with radioactive events. This section is further broken down into different response specialties.

Radiation Equipment Facility (RADEF)

RADEF is the legacy of the cold war Civil Defense program. Radiation detection equipment is calibrated, maintained and distributed to nearly every County in Tennessee. This ensures a rapid response to any accident involving radioactive materials anywhere in the State. Currently over 12,000 pieces of equipment are kept up by this section. Radiation detection equipment is typically distributed as set kits with multiple instruments. Tennessee currently has 4 different kit setups.

1. "E" Kit - The E kit is intended for use by emergency services personnel required to respond to a radiological accident or nuclear event and workers such as those stationed at manned roadblocks. The CDV718 and beta/gamma probe are very rugged and are not damaged by vibration in a vehicle.
2. "P" Kit - The P kit is intended for use by first responders who may encounter alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. Radiological instruments sets are configured for emergency service use in peacetime radiological accidents and as shelter and recovery sets in nuclear events.
3. "S" Kit - The S kit is intended for use in mass care shelters for radiation detection and decontamination in a peacetime radiological accident. The Ludlum model 3 is a low range instrument and not intended for use in areas where high levels of radiation are expected. The pancake probe is susceptible to damage by rough treatment, so it should be used with care and kept in the protective case when not in use. The Ludlum model 3 has a mechanical meter movement and can be damaged by vibration in a vehicle.
4. "D" Kit - The D kit is configured to support emergency personnel decontamination and large scale personnel decontamination operations in the event of a terrorist detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device with radiological material or a nuclear detonation and is intended for use in emergency worker vehicle decontamination areas. The pancake probe is susceptible to damage by rough treatment, so it should be used with care and kept in the protective case when not in use. The Ludlum model 3 is a low range instrument and not intended for use in areas where high levels of radiation are expected. The Ludlum model 3 has a mechanical meter movement and can be damaged by vibration in a vehicle.

Fixed Nuclear Facilities (FNF)

Information on FNF can be found at Fixed Nuclear Facilities.

Department of Energy (DOE)

TEMA Tech Hazards works in cooperation with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Energy Oversight in ensuring the safety of the public near DOE activities. TEMA maintains disaster and response planning for facilities in the Oak Ridge complexes. Numerous yearly exercises and training maintain public, local and State preparedness for the unlikely event of an accident.

Radioactive Materials Transportation

TEMA is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) point of contact for radioactive materials transportation. More information from the NRC can be found here. TEMA also assists Tennessee Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Level IV inspection. More information from the CVSA can be found here.

Radiation Response Training Levels

Radiological Specialist Level
FEMA IS 3 (4 Hrs)
DOE Modular Emergency Radiological Response Team Training (MERRTT) (16 Hrs)
DOE MERRTT T-T-T (24 HRS)
FEMA G 320 Fundamental Course for Radiological Response (FCRR) (24 Hrs)
FEMA IS 301 Radiological Emergency Response (16 Hrs)
FEMA B 301 Radiological Emergency Response Operations (RERO) (1 Week) (EMI) or WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations Course (32 Hrs) NTS
FEMA B 302 Advance Radiological Emergency Incident Operations (1 Week) (EMI) or
WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for HazMat Technicians (32 Hrs) NTS
FEMA E 347 Radiological Accidents Assessment Concepts (1 Week) (EMI)
FEMA B 425 Radiological Train-the-Trainer (1 Week)
Radiological Safety Course (LSU or equivalent) (1 Week)

Radiological Technicians Level
FEMA IS 3 (4 Hrs)
DOE Modular Emergency Radiological Response Team Training (MERRTT) (16 Hrs)
FEMA G 320 Fundamental Course for Radiological Response (FCRR) (24 Hrs)
FEMA IS 301 Radiological Emergency Response (16 Hrs)
FEMA B 301 Radiological Emergency Response Operations (RERO) (1 Week) (EMI) or WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations Course (32 Hrs) NTS
FEMA B 302 Advance Radiological Emergency Incident Operations (1 Week) (EMI or
WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for HazMat Technicians (32 Hrs) NTS

Radiological Operations Level
FEMA IS 3 (4 Hrs)
Modular Emergency Radiological Response Team Training (MERRTT) (16 Hrs)
FEMA G 320 Fundamental Course for Radiological Response (FCRR) (24 Hrs)
FEMA IS 301 Radiological Emergency Responses (16 Hrs)
FEMA G 301 Radiological Emergency Response Operations (RERO) (1 Week) (EMI) or WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations Course (32 Hrs) NTS

Contact

TEMA Tech Hazards can be contacted through TEMA Operations (615)741-0001