"Nothing can compare with realistic training in the fire and rescue service."
- Ross Smallcombe, Firefighter
Successful radiation training scenarios rely on the extent to which the instructor is able to create a compelling, hands-on and truly life-like training experience.
The term ‘major incident’ is a broad one and is widely ascribed to any event where there is a loss of life, a serious injury or substantial damage to property or the environment.
When planning a radiation hazard training scenario, instructors have traditionally opted for real sources in order to enable students practice with the instruments they will actually use. While this is certainly effective for training, it does pose significant disadvantages. Cost, regulatory requirements, procurement, end of life disposal , and time constraints will all need to be considered when organising training utilising real sources.
If you’re a first responder, you have probably undergone training with index cards at some point in your career. This tried-and-tested method helps trainers provide information to downrange operators that should initiate a response or action from those operators.
On the surface, radiation training can seem somewhat straightforward: teach students how to properly and safely respond to situations involving radiation. However, as many CBRNe instructors know, it’s not that simple.
Image source: SAAB Training and Simulation
Modern warfare involving the infantry has shifted towards artillery and CBRN. The following 100 years of conflict will likely see weapons of mass destruction (WMD) playing centre stage. Military units must continue adapting to this threat and train for CBRN usage in a wide range of military operations.
Bryan Sommers, Argon Electronics’ North American Business Development Manager, first met the HazMat Guys in early 2021. He was invited onto their podcast to discuss HazMat training and to listen to their feedback on the demonstration he provided for two of Argon’s latest radiation simulation technologies—the RadEye Sim and the RadSIM GS4 gamma radiation source.
Cranfield University is the Academic Provider to the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.
It is currently offering a course in CBRN Defence Science, which is the only one of its kind in the UK. Students will learn about Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) defence from leading academics and military experts at state-of-the-art facilities.
The UK’s leading event for emergency services personnel, the Emergency Services Show, will take place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) on the 7th and 8th of September 2021.
This year’s live event will include a specially curated seminar programme together with an exhibition of the latest technologies, services and training systems available to the emergency services sector.