Background
The Nevada Test Site has been a National asset for United
States' strategic efforts in defense of our country for over 40
years. Under the leadership of the DOE, NTS plays an
important role in the mission of preparing emergency first
response agencies to respond to the possible terrorist use of
weapons of mass destruction (WMD). To insure the success
of this new mission, the NTS' National Exercise, Test and
Training Center (NETTC) conducts complex, multilevel tests,
training, exercises, and research activities related to
radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction.. NTS
is a massive outdoor laboratory and national experimental
center that cannot be duplicated.
In June 1998, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Nevada
Test Site (NTS) became a member of the National Domestic
Preparedness Consortium and an integral part of the U.S.
Department of Justice's (DOJ) State and Local First
Responder Training Program. The Consortium was
established by DOJ's Office of Justice Programs/Office for
Domestic Preparedness (OJP/ODP) to provide expertise and
training to the state and local emergency response
community. It is a partnership of several nationally
recognized public universities, the Justice Department, and
the Department of Energy that brings together into a singular,
coordinated, and integrated training program the various
entities receiving funding under OJP/ODP's domestic
preparedness initiative.
Under an interagency agreement between OJP/ODP and
DOE, the NETTC contributes to ODP's First Responder
Training Program through the delivery of radiation/nuclear
agents training to first responder personnel. NETTC also
provides assistance in the design and development of
exercises that simulate radiation/ nuclear agent incidents.
Course Offerings
Advanced Radiation/Nuclear Agents
Course
This 4-day course is designed to increase the
capability of state, and local communities to respond
to terrorist incidents involving radiological or nuclear
weapons of mass destruction. The course describes
the dynamics of domestic terrorism; the availability of
and threat posed by materials on the international
black market; and nuclear weapons, improvised
nuclear devices, and radiological dispersal devices
that may be used in a terrorist attack. Participants will
gain an understanding of the basics of nuclear
radiation, the use of personal protective equipment,
the use of radiation detection instruments, and
radiological decontamination. Participants will also
learn about wound decontamination and medical
treatment for victims contaminated with radiological
agents and the effects of ionizing radiation on the
human body, the major organ systems, and target
populations. They will gain an understanding of how
nuclear weapons are designed and can be improvised
as WMD, how high-level waste shipments can be used
as an improvised WMD, and possible methods of
attack. Participants will also learn about the federal
response, combined operations, radiological hotline
considerations, and public affairs.
The course consists of informal lectures and
discussions combined with practical field exercises.
This course is designed for hazardous materials
personnel and law enforcement personnel trained to
the hazardous materials technician level. To qualify,
applicants must be certified hazardous materials
technicians who have completed the equivalent of
OSHA (29 CFR 1910.120[q]) and NFPA 472 and 473
standards and are qualified to perform functions in a
level A fully encapsulated protective suit.
Basic Mobile Training Team Exercise
Design and Development Course
The Mobile Training Team (MTT) Course is designed
for emergency managers, fire, law enforcement, EMS,
public works, or any other personnel who design and
execute WMD preparedness exercises from local
jurisdictions from across the country. NTS, under the
direction of ODP, has developed a partnership with
the National Guard Bureau (NGB), so they may
benefit from the training and exercise expertise that
exists at NTS. Representatives of the NGB Civil
Support Teams (CST's) will be participating in the
pilot phase of the MTT course.
WMD Monthly Exercise Design and
Development Practicum
The Exercise Design and Development Practicum
(PRAC) Course consists of a multiple scenario WMD
exercise for select jurisdictions to build on what was
taught during WMD Exercise Design and Execution
Course, demonstrate their knowledge and ability to
actively engage in the activities required to develop
exercise scenarios, and implement the exercise
scenarios while conducting an exercise using the
facilities at the NTS.
Eligibility to Attend Training
This training is primarily intended for those responders
trained to the HazMat Technician Level. It is
responsibility of the jurisdictions to determine who is
appropriate to attend the training.
Location of Training
All of the training courses described in this Fact Sheet are
deliver at the National Exercise, Test and Training Center
at the Nevada Test Site.
Costs to the Participants
The training, travel, meals, and lodging are provided at no
cost to the state or local organization or responder.
All requests for ODP-sponsored training are made through
the Domestic Preparedness Training Point of Contact
(POC) in the State Administrative Agency designated by
the Governor to administer the State Domestic
Preparedness Equipment Grant Program and to develop
the state's risk assessment and statewide domestic
preparedness strategy. The list of POC's is available on
ODP's webpage at: