Acton Firefighters Participate in Multiagency Federal Radiological Training Program

ACTON — Fire Chief Anita Arnum is pleased to share that members of the Acton Fire Department recently attended a federal radiological and nuclear training program alongside first responders from agencies around the region.

The training was hosted by the Easton Fire Department at Stonehill College earlier this month in partnership with the City of Boston Police Department’s Securing the Cities Program.

The Securing the Cities Program is a partnership with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and numerous regional law enforcement and first responder agencies. Through this partnership, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Office provides the greater Boston area with annual funding and non-monetary support to provide equipment, training, and subject matter expertise to support the detection and interdiction of illicit radiological materials.

The goal of the Program is to build and enhance local capacity to find and intercept radiological material before it can be used in a terrorist attack. One of the ways this goal is accomplished is by providing equipment and training on screening for potentially illicit radiological materials to subject matter experts with police and fire departments in the region. The Program is administered by the City of Boston Police Department’s Office of Homeland Security. The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office’s continued support has augmented the region’s enduring radiological detection network and allows participating agencies to better integrate with counter-terrorism initiatives already in place.

The January training was facilitated and instructed by the Counterterrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training. The training gave participants the education and experience to be part of response planning and mitigating actions that best prepare the metro-Boston area for all types of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) events.

Chief Arnum and Deputy Chief Christopher Sammet attended the training, and it is anticipated that training will be provided to additional department personnel. In addition to Acton Fire personnel, members of 13 other local police and fire departments and regional organizations also participated.

First responders received radiation meters and participated in classroom training and scenario-based situations to learn how to use the meters for emergency responses and to identify radiological hazards or incidents.  The meters can be used for large venue protection and screening crowds or objects, and responses such as occupational or industrial incidents, medical incidents or transports, and transportation accidents involving radiological materials. The meters will be placed in first line apparatus once members are trained and familiarized in their use.

“This unique training will help to improve our readiness to identify incidents involving radiological dangers, and it will help us be prepared for anything that may come up here in Acton,” said Chief Arnum. “We are grateful that we had this opportunity to learn more and expand our skillsets.”