Compressed Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training (CMERRTT)

This 8-hour training program is offered to audiences who have completed pervious radiological response training. The course consists of seven 30-minute modules and three hands-on practical exercises. Students will receive a comprehensive review ensuring their understanding of radioactive material, radiological survey instruments and decontamination techniques for handling radiologically contaminated victims. Hands-on practical exercises verify the student understanding and knowledge of radiological principles, instrument operation, decontamination techniques and employing radiologically contaminated patient treatment practices is solid. The course includes use of “live” radiation sources in the practical exercises to reinforce learning. Upon successful completion of this course students will receive a certificate from the Department of Energy’s Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program, including up to 5 hours of continuing education hours (CEH) for medical response personnel.

Online Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training Refresher (OMERRTT)

The Online MERRTT Refresher was developed with the responder in mind. It is an interactive scenario based training developed to test participants knowledge and awareness when responding to an accident involving radioactive material. Once the training is complete, a certificate will be generated and emailed to the participant. To receive a certificate, students must complete the on-line training.

Click here to complete the OMERRTT

Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training (MERRTT)

This 16-hour training program is designed to take the complex topic of a radiological accident response and break it down into 16 easily understood modules and hands-on practical exercises. Students will be presented with the training to simplify the topic while developing a comprehensive understanding of radioactive material, radiological survey instruments, decontamination techniques for handling radiologically contaminated victims, and resources available to responders during a response. An important element of the training is detailed information on the types of packages used to transport radioactive material. The course includes use of “live” radiation sources in the practical exercises to reinforce learning. Upon successful completion of the MERRTT course students will receive a certificate from the Department of Energy’s Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program, including up to 9 hours of continuing education hours (CEH) for medical response personnel. MERRTT meets the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act training requirements and is listed on the Department of Homeland Security Federal Approved Courses Listing.

Click here to view MERRTT Material

Technician Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training (TMERRTT)

This 8- hour technician training program is aligned with the specific radiological competencies listed in NFPA 470 ‘Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents”. The training includes a pre-test to verify responder knowledge and understanding of the actions necessary for radiological accident response. The course content includes advanced level training on instrument operation, radiological detector selection and limitations. In addition to the classroom training, students using their incident command system will participate in three field drills. In preparation for the exercises the students will establish an incident command staff, assign positions, and develop objectives for each of the three field drills. Upon completion of the incident command structure, students will discuss the field drill radiation safety plan, addressing protective clothing considerations, process for mapping the scene, using radiological instruments demonstrate how to conduct both radiation and contamination surveys, identify various types of “live” radiation sources, establishing control zone boundaries, explain and demonstrate decontamination methods and contamination controls.

Radiation Specialist

This 40-hour training goal is to provide instruction on the competencies outlined in Chapter 32 of the NFPA 470 Standard. This includes the scientific principles about the nature of radiation, radioactivity, the underlying technical information of detection instruments, instrument operation and limitations, exposure and contamination controls, radiological hazard assessment, decontamination, and medical effects. Technicians with a radioactive material (Class 7) specialty are responders who provide support to the hazardous materials technician on the use of radiation detection instruments, and they are expected to have the ability to manage the control of radiation exposure and conduct hazards assessment at an incident involving radioactive materials. This training program discusses the scientific principles about the nature of radioactivity and relates it to the underlying technical performance of radiological detection instruments, the results of medical effects, exposure control methods, decontamination techniques and instrument operations. Completion of this training program will provide the technician with a radioactive material specialty that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform assigned duties at a radiological incident.

Hospital Emergency Department Management of Radiation Accidents Course

Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Energy will only offer the Radiological Training for Hospital Personnel Course (FEMA G-346) in support of TEPP and WIPP sponsored exercises. This 8-hour course is designed to introduce hospital medical care providers to ionizing radiation, the biological effects of ionizing radiation, facility preparation, radiological instrumentation, patient decontamination, and patient care/treatment. Upon completion of the classroom training, care providers will participate in a hands-on exercise for handling patients who have been exposed to ionizing radiation and/or are contaminated with radioactive material. The hands-on exercise allows hospital care providers the opportunity to demonstrate prompt and appropriate care for accident victims while minimizing exposure and preventing the spread of contamination. The course is targeted at all hospital type medical care providers who may be responsible for managing or treating a patient that has been exposed to radiation or is contaminated with radioactive material. The modular design of the program has been structured so non-medical care providers (e.g., maintenance, security, etc.) can attend the first 3 or 4 modules and then return in the afternoon for the hands-on exercise. Upon successful completion of this training, hospital personnel will have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform assigned duties to handle and treat victims from a radiological incident.

Medical Examiner/Coroner

This Medical Examiner/Coroner Guide to Handling Radioactive Remains training program is offered to those who have the responsibility of working with local or state officials to manage fatalities or human remains that may contain or be contaminated with radioactive material as the result of a transportation incident. This 8-hour course has a modular design consisting of 8 concise and easy to understand modules in combination hands-on exercises intended to familiarize attendees with radiological hazards, methods to minimize the spread of contamination, unique considerations during autopsy procedures, and proper disposition of potentially radioactive remains. There are no prerequisites for this program.