Radiological Assistance Program DOE/NNSA Region 1

The Radiological Assistance Program, established in the late 1950's, is maintained by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The DOE / NNSA has several assets that may be used to respond to a radiological emergency. RAP may utilize any of these assets in their response and assets may also be requested through the RAP. RAP is NNSA's first responder for evaluating an emergency situation and will advise authorities on what actions need to be taken to minimize the effects of a radiological emergency.

DOE / NNSA Assets

Radiological Assistance Program (RAP)
National Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (NARAC)
Aerial Measuring System (AMS)
Consequence Management (CM)
Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS)
Accident Response Group (ARG)
Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST)
Nuclear/Radiological Advisory Team (NRAT)

RAP is implemented on a regional basis that includes eight geographical DOE regions, and the National Capitol Region. See the regional map. Each DOE Region is managed by a Regional Coordinating Office (RCO). Each RCO maintains a Regional Response Coordinator, who manages the activities of the regional RAP.

The DOE Brookhaven National Laboratory Regional Coordinating Office is responsible for Region 1. This region includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

RAP teams will provide detection, monitoring, identification, and assessment assistance to federal agencies, state, tribal, local governments, and to private businesses or individuals for incidents involving radiological materials. Each DOE region has a minimum of three teams. RAP teams consist of volunteer employees from DOE and DOE contractor facilities. A full RAP team consists of seven members; a team leader, a team captain, four health physics survey/support personnel, and a public information officer. RAP teams may deploy with two or more members, one member being the team leader. RAP teams from one region can assist and integrate into RAP teams from other regions. RAP teams are on call 24 hours a day. When an emergency occurs, RAP team members are fully mobilized within two hours and arrive at the scene within six hours after notification. RAP teams will arrive with advanced radiation detection equipment, communications equipment, protective gear and other necessary supplies. Team members are fully trained in the use of detection equipment and the hazards of radiation materials.

RAP teams will provide the following services:

Locate and identify radiological materials.
Evaluate data and provide risk assessments.
TRIAGE
Provide advice and make recommendations to protect personnel and property and subsequent reentry.
Distill technical data and develop public information.
Provide 24 hour phone for technical support and advice.
On scene training to HAZMAT First Responders.
Assistance provided by RAP does not preempt state, tribal, or local authority.
The primary responsibility for the incident remains with the owner of the radioactive material.
RAP involvement ends when assistance is no longer needed or there are other sufficient resources ( state, local, private) at the scene.
RAP is not prepared for chemical or biological assessment.
RAP is not a first responder on the scene, but RAP personnel are likely to be the first DOE asset to arrive.

RAP also provides an Outreach Program which provides First Responder Radiological Training.

For additional information relating to DOE/NNSA Assets, see the DOE/NNSA web site.

Last Modified: January 31, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to: Donna Gill