0.1 Radiological Response for First Responders

0.2 Know Your Role in Responding  Training + Knowledge + Equipment = A Safe Response

0.3 Radiation  Radiation is energy in the form of particles that comes from a source and travels through some material or through space.  All sources of heat and light emit radiation.  The emission of the excess energy or mass is what we call radiation. This is where the term “nuclear radiation” comes from.

0.4 Radioactivity: Elements & Atoms  Atoms are composed of smaller particles referred to as:  Protons,  Neutrons,  Electrons.  The Nucleus at the center of the atom is comprised of neutral neutrons and positively charged protons.

Ionizing Radiation alpha particle beta particle Radioactive Atom X-ray gamma ray

0.6 Types of Ionizing Radiation  Particle Radiation – Alpha and Beta.  Pure Energy Radiation – Gamma.  Alpha & Beta are tiny fast moving particles that have both energy and weight.  Gamma are rays of energy with no weight that travel at the speed of light. Alpha Beta Gamma

0.7 Radiation Measurement  Terminology:  Exposure rate = amount radiation possible to receive in a period of time.  Dose/exposure = total amount of radiation received.  Roentgen = a unit of measurement used to express the amount of gamma radiation exposure received in air.

0.8 Measuring Radiation DOSE  Millirem = (1/1000 of a rem) – Unit of measuring the effect of ionizing radiation on humans.  REM = (1) – Unit of measuring the biological effect the radioactive materials will have on your body.

0.9 Exposure Limits  1.25 REM/quarter  5 REM/year  10 REM to Mitigate  25 REM to SAVE A LIFE  Doses received must be deducted from the annual and lifetime limits.  Exposure Limit (mR) = max exposure time (hr) Exposure rate (mR/hr)

0.10 Exposure Control Techniques  Consist of three factors:  Time  Distance  Shielding

0.11 *TIME* Exposure Limits  If you had a reading of 100 R/hr (REMs per hour), you would be able to stay in the control zone for a maximum of 15 minutes without exceeding the exposure limits allowed to save a life.  If you had 50 R/hr you could stay for 30 minutes.  If the reading was only 2 mR/hr you could stay for as long as 12,500 hours.

0.12 *DISTANCE* Inverse Square Law for Gamma Radiation  One helpful guide to determining safe distances is what is called the “Inverse Square law.”  Meaning each time you double your distance from the source you cut your exposure by 75%.  Example – If you obtained a reading of 20 mR/hr at 4 feet from the source, by doubling your distance you could cut your exposure to 5 mR/hr, ¼ the exposure you would have at 4 feet.

Exposure Rate mr/hr Distance (Feet) “Inverse Square” Law

0.14 *Shielding*  Use some form of shielding whenever possible.  Alpha particles are large enough that they can be stopped by a piece of paper.  Beta particles are small enough to pass through paper, but are stopped by a sheet of aluminum.  Gamma radiation will require something thicker – lead, concrete buildings, fire engines, natural terrain.

0.15 Time Distance Shielding FT/miles Controlling Exposure

>25 All Protecting valuable property Lifesaving or protection of large populations Lower dose not practicable Only on a voluntary basis to people fully aware of the risks involved Limit ActivityCondition Dose Limits (Workers Performing Emergency Services) measured in REM

0.17 Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) Badges  External Dosmietry – analyzed by a laboratory.  Obtain a blue film badge.  Sign your name on the index card next to the number of the badge.  Clip on the badge.

0.18 CD V-700 SURVEY METER

0.19 Preparation for Use  Set the Range Selector to OFF.

0.20 Preparation for Use  Locate and unfasten the TWO latches on the sides of the case.

0.21 Preparation for Use  Remove the cover and locate the Battery holders. Pinch and remove the retainers.  Note battery polarity and install 4 fresh ‘D’ cell batteries.

0.22 Preparation for Use  Replace the retainers and the cover.  Lock down the latches.

0.23 CD V-700 Operational Check Turn range selector to x10, wait 30 seconds. Remove probe from holder. Open beta window, use two zip-lock bags and cover the probe. Hold the probe next to the check source on side of meter case. The meter should read between 0.15 and 0.25 mr/hr. Because you are on 10 scale, your actual reading is 1.5 to 2.5 mr/hr.

0.24 Instrument Use  Begin on the x1 range. If radiation registers, switch to the x10 range. If it rises again, switch to the x100 range.  Multiply the meter face reading by the range to determine exposure rate in mr/hr. (Millirem per hour.)  If the needle peaks, earphones squeal, and needle drops, the meter has probably been saturated.

0.25 Meter Face #1

0.26 Meter Face #2

0.27 Meter Face #3

0.28 Pocket Dosimeter Use:  Needle must be AT OR ABOVE ZERO for initial reading.  Note START and STOP readings.  Find exposure by subtracting the difference between the two.

0.29 CD V-750 Dosimeter Charger

0.30 Preparation for Use Step 1: Step 1: Install one “D” cell battery.  Remove center screw and open unit.  Observing battery polarity, insert fresh battery into unit.  Replace top and use center screw to put the unit together. + -

0.31 Preparation for Use  Step 2  Remove cap, top left corner. Hold dosimeter with pocket clip between thumb and forefinger, press FIRMLY onto charging contact.

0.32 Preparation for Use  Step 3  While looking through view finder, adjust hairline to ‘0’ using the knob located on the upper right corner.

0.33 Santa Barbara County Fire Department RAD KIT CONTENTS Ammo Box Headphones 5-”D” cell Batteries CD V TLD Film Badges 3- Pocket Dosimeters CD V-700

0.34 Hairline moves as the dosimeter is removed from the charger. Dosimeter Troubleshooting Problem Set Hairline slightly left Of ‘0’ position. Hold Dosimeter up to light and re-check position. Solution