Department of Homeland Security Graduates Second Advanced Class

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the graduation of the second class of the Advanced Radiation Detection (ARD) course. The course is sponsored by the Nuclear Detection Office of the Department of Homeland Security and is conducted in Suffolk County, NY. The object of the five day course is to develop the skills necessary to detect and investigate the potential use of radioactive or nuclear material on domestic soil. Participants include representatives from a variety of national, state, and local agencies from across the United States.

The ARD training is designed to complement the Securing the Cities initiative which was launched in July of 2007 as a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security Nuclear Detection Office and a New York regional partnership. Originally a pilot program in the New York City area, the New York regional partnership served as a template for the development of The Safe Cities Initiative program

The Safe Cities Initiative program strives to coordinate and integrate the resources of local, state, and federal agencies for the purpose of detecting and preventing the use of radiological weapons. The Safe Cities Initiative additionally assists local and regional authorities in other key areas including; the analysis of prior domestic terrorist acts including 9/11, current and future threat assessment, intelligence sharing, and developing and integrating security elements of the private sector with that of local and state governments.

When asked about the ongoing DHS training in Suffolk County, County Executive Steve Levy replied, "Suffolk County is proud to be at the forefront in training local law enforcement agencies how better to cope with potential radiological attacks," He went on to say, "We're proud to partner with the Department of Homeland Security on this important initiative."

In addition to the ARD course, students are required to complete an 8-hour Personal Radiation Detector course and a 16-hour Radioisotope Identification Device course. Personal radiation detectors are small beeper sized devices which employ the use of sound and flashing lights to alert the wearer of increased and potentially harmful radiation levels. This technology is especially useful to paramedics, fire personnel and other first responders. Radioisotope ID devices allow the user to rapidly locate, measure, and identify sources of gamma ray contamination.

The Nuclear Detection Office oversees and executes the national training and establishes policy regarding training exercises. The goal is provide the opportunity for federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency responders to gain the knowledge and training which will enhance local response capabilities.

DHS Graduates Second Advanced Radiation Detection Course, DHS

Safe Cities Initiative, Manhattan Institute for Policy Reserch

Information on identifinder Series, icx Technologies

Personal Radiation Detector, Electronic Control Concepts