Emergency.Blog

Police to get ?dirty bomb hoods? in terror alert/.PDF Reference

10 Dec 2006

Police to get ‘dirty bomb hoods’ in terror alert

LONDON, ENGLAND: Police forces have been told to buy anti-radiation masks for their 100,000 frontline officers to protect them in the event of a “dirty bomb” terrorist attack.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has told all forces they should look to purchase specially designed chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) hoods as soon as possible.

Senior officers are concerned that, with only 1,000 thought to have been distributed, their ability to deal with any radiation threat will be severely hampered.

The transparent “escape hoods” are able to protect the wearer from harm for about 20 minutes, allowing him or her to leave an affected area without breathing in any toxic particles.

The urgency that is being placed on the purchase of the hoods reflects the level of concern over the likelihood of a “dirty bomb” attack, where radioactive material, packed around a conventional explosive, is detonated and spreads radiation over a wide area....

Continues at: Times of London, December 10, 2006 -- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2496487,00.html

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Additional ERRI reference:

12 June 2002

Radiological Survey Equipment Needed By Emergency Forces?

By Steve Macko, EmergencyNet News Managing Editor

CHICAGO, IL: ERRI's senior national security analyst and retired emergency service chief, Clark Staten said that given recent warnings about attempts by terrorist forces to attack American targets with a Radiation Dispersal Device (RDD), it would be prudent for U.S. Fire. Police, and EMS units to obtain and use radiological survey equipment during any response to a known or suspected explosion. "Our recommendations would include, at this time, that someone (as determined by the jurisdiction having authority) among initial response forces to an explosion, be trained and equipped with appropriate radiological survey equipment to include a geiger-counter type device and dosimeters," Staten said.

"This equipment could then be used to conduct a preliminary assessment of the scene and determine what appropriate protective clothing and equipment might be needed, or if other special units are required," the veteran analyst added. "As times and tactical situations change, so must the capabilities of our emergency service agencies...we think it only prudent to make such a suggestion at this time," Staten concluded. Additional reference: 1981 -"Handling of Radiation Accident Victims; A Prehospital Care Point of View," by Staten, C. L. , Fire Command Magazine, January 1981, Pg. 14-15, 19 (Note: requires Adobe .pdf reader/plug-in) -- Source: http://www.emergency.com/emspage.htm