Introduction to the concept of Mobile Expert Support Teams (MEST) Nuclear Security Team

1. Introduction to the concept of Mobile Expert Support Teams (MEST) Nuclear Security Team Division of Technical and Scientific Services Department of Safeguards

2. Outline • Background • Definition of a nuclear security event • Generic response scheme • Functions of Front-Line Officers • Rationale for expert support • Why is expert support essential? • When may expert support be required? • FLO – expert support interactions • Mobile Expert Support Teams • Functions • Requirements • Typical equipment

3. BackgroundDefinition of a Nuclear Security Event • An event, involving nuclear or other radioactive material out of regulatory control, that is assessed as having potentially harmful consequences on persons, property, society and the environment

4. BackgroundGeneric response scheme - 3 questions in case of an alarm Alarm Verification • Is this a real alarm of a false alarm? • Action: Verification of alarm • Can the radioactive source harm persons? • Action: watch dose rate, neutron indication and look for traces of contamination • Is this an innocent or non innocent (illicit trafficking) alarm? • Action is based on instrument results and transport documents Real Alarm False Alarm Hazard Source? No Danger “Dangerous” Identify Source Suspected Illicit Material Innocent Alarm

5. Background: generic response scheme Assess Hazard & Locate Source <100 µSv/hr @ 1 m&NO neutrons&NO surface contamination Intelligence/Information Dose rate Indication (Use handheld instruments) VERIFIED Alarm Use RID >100 µSv/hr @ 1 m&/ORneutrons&/ORsurface contamination ALARM Verification Verify Alarm with instruments Identify Source Contact Expert Support Team Suspected Illicit Source Contact Expert Support Team Inconclusive results NO Alarm Verified RadiationDetectionInstrument Safety Procedures Innocent Source Investigation Isolate Source If required Seize Materials False Alarm Notification Procedure Temporary Storage Record Details Record Details Activate Emergency Response Legal Process Stop Stop

6. Functions of the FLOs • Use detection equipment and procedures implemented at the duty station and into FLOs procedures. • Respond to detection • Perform secondary inspection • Make basic decisions to release or hold (innocent, security, safety) • Make basic decision to characterise threat (no threat, activating MEST or emergency response plan, notify the regulatory authority) and to secure the area if needed • Documentation (logbook)

7. Rationale for expert supportWhy is expert support essential? • FLOs are not used to deal with radioactive material, they may become insecure and reduce the sensitivity of the detection equipment to avoid weak alarms • Detection follow-up may not be done properly • If the categorization is based on wrong results, wrong conclusion can be drawn; relevant cases may slip 5

8. Rationale for expert supportWhen may expert support be required? If specific criteria, as defined in response procedures, are met during the detection and categorization process by the FLO, e.g.: • Categorization is inconclusive (e.g. source is not identified) • Dose rate at one meter distance is more than 100 µSv/h, and/or presence of neutrons, and/or possible surface contamination • Identification results of Uranium and/or Plutonium • Missing or wrong shipment documents for transport of industrial or nuclear isotopes (or medical isotopes not in-vivo) • Naturally radioactive materials in a shipment, or medical isotope in-vivo, with dose rate exceeding national permitted limits • Threat situations: source that may be used for malicious acts-RDD • Etc.

9. Rationale for expert supportFLO – expert support interactions • First step - Contact Front-line officer reports situation and details to experts and get advice and decision support • Second step - Spectra transmission If available, transmission of gamma spectra over remote link, analysis by MEST and feedback • Third step – MEST go on site MEST equipped with specialized mobile non-destructive analysis and radiation protection equipment and tools arrives at the location of the incident

10. Mobile Expert Support TeamsCore Functions • Remote and on site technical support • Use of advanced detection equipment (e.g.: portable HPGe spectrometer) • Analysis of spectra • Gamma and neutron dose rate measurements • Surface contamination checks • Assessment of the nuclear security and radiological risks • Activation of emergency response if required • Coordinate safe transportation of seized material to temporary storage • Liaison with relevant national authorities

11. Mobile Expert Support TeamsAdditional/Optional Functions Depending on national regulations or cases, MEST may also: • Support FLO training • Support forensic evidence collection and preservation • Support legal prosecution • Liaisewith international or regional nuclear forensics laboratory for in-depth characterization and determination of origin of the nuclear material • Provide measurement support and radiological guidance in RDD or IND cases • Forecast dispersion and radiation exposure to the public • Provide equipment Support (from purchase to maintenance)

12. Mobile Expert Support TeamsRequirements • Familiar with: • Potential criminal or unauthorized use of nuclear and radioactive material • Crime scene management rules • Preservation of evidence • Forensic science (classical/nuclear) • Legal process • 24/7 on-call availability • Experienced in: • Radiation detection techniques (non-destructive assay); • Radiation protection for evaluating the radiological hazards and for initiating protective measures for the incident; • Knowledgeable in: • Authorized uses of nuclear and other radioactive material

13. Mobile Expert Support TeamsTypical Equipment • Alarm verification: • Neutron Search Devices • Personal radiation detector • Nuclide identification and advanced gamma spectrometry: • Portable high resolution gamma spectrometer • Handheld Radionuclide Identification Devices used in Expert Mode • Radiation Safety: • Calibrated dose rate meters (Gamma and Neutron) • Surface Contamination Detectors • Personal Protection Equipment • Other equipment • 13

14. Mobile Expert Support TeamsAlarm verification • Neutron Search Devices • Personal radiation detector

15. Mobile Expert Support TeamsNuclide identification and advanced gamma spectrometry • Portable high resolution gamma spectrometer • Handheld Radionuclide Identification Devices used in Expert Mode

16. Mobile Expert Support TeamsRadiation Safety • Calibrated dose rate meters (Gamma and Neutron) • Surface Contamination Detectors • Personal Protection Equipment

17. Mobile Expert Support TeamsOther equipment • Recording and communication equipment • Kits for sample taking and labeling • Transport container • Authorized vehicle for radioactive transport • NDA laboratory, if assigned • Access to temporary storage location or facility

18. Conclusions • FLO cannot always resolve detection alarms (available equipment and expertise limitation). • In such cases, technical expert support, whether remotely or on site, is essential in the alarm resolution process. • As such, MEST is an important component of national response plan to nuclear security events.

19. Q & A