1. International - Aerial Measuring System (I-AMS) Training Program
DOE/NV/
International - Aerial Measuring System (I-AMS) Training Program
P. WASIOLEK, R. MALCHOW,
R. MAURER, H. ADAMS, and K. BRAITHWAITE
DOE/NNSA International Emergency Management and Cooperation
and National Security Technologies, LLC
Remote Sensing Laboratory
Washington, DC and Las Vegas, USA
This work was done by National Security Technologies, LLC, under Contract No. DE-AC52-06NA25946 with the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Introduction
U.S. DOE International Emergency Management and Cooperation (IEMC) Program provides training courses designed to assist Partner Nations and international organizations in their development of nuclear/radiological emergency management capabilities.
As result of the 2011 Fukushima NPP accident, and demonstrated significant role of aerial radiation measurements, IEMC and IAEA co-sponsor basic and advanced I-AMS training for Partner Nations.
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

3. IEMC Course Catalog I-AMS is one of several IEMC training courses:
International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER)
International Maritime Radiological Search Operations (I-MARITIME)
International Aerial Measuring System (I-AMS)
International Consequence Management (I-CM)
Emergency Management Infrastructure
International Geographic Information Systems (I-GIS)
Medical Radiological Response Countermeasures (I-MEDICAL)
International Exchange Program Plume Modeling (IXP)
International Reach Back Support for Spectral Analysis (TRIAGE)
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

4. What is AMS and why do you need it?
An Aerial Measuring System (AMS) provides specialized airborne radiation detection of ground contamination following a radiological emergency and identifies the location of radiological anomalies.
No other asset can provide the radiological data after a large radioactive release faster and safer!
Proof: use of AMS during the accident at the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant.
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

5. What constitutes an AMS asset?
Aircrafts
Radiation Detection Equipment
Relevant Training
Aerial Radiation Detection Asset
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

6. Specialized aerial radiological data acquisition system: SPARCS
IEMC offers to Partner Nations a mobile radiation detection instrument: Spectral Advanced Radiological Computer System (SPARCS)
Modular radiation detection system designed for use in any mobile platform (i.e., car, truck, boat, and aircraft)
Two different detector configurations SPARCS-A and SPARCS-M
Installation and ready-to-operate in 30 minutes
12-28 volt battery power
User friendly Graphical User Interface
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

7. Specialized training: Basic I-AMS course
Target audience: radiation professionals, aircrews, and emergency managers responsible for aerial radiological measurements
Delivery: at host nation location
Pre-requisite: SPARCS operations covered during I-RAPTER
2 or 4 day course (+1 day with translation)
Class size 10-15
Instructors from U.S. DOE radiological emergency response programs
Day 1 – Aerial radiological response operations, radiation detection instrumentation, mission planning, and equipment installation in aircraft
Day 2/3 – Pre-flight briefings, equipment checkout, and aerial missions focused on location of radiation anomalies (sources) and response to a nuclear power plant accident
Day 4 – Aerial data review, interpretation and briefing products
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

8. Specialized training: Basic I-AMS course
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

9. Evolution of I-AMS training
Several countries have included, or are planning to include, aerial measurements in their national emergency response plans (Iceland, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan)
IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET) incorporated AMS capabilities
Needs for achieving higher data quality objectives (calibrations, quality controls, etc.)
Availability of advanced aerial data analysis software
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

10. Specialized training: Advanced I-AMS course
Target audience: radiation professionals, aircrews, and emergency managers responsible for aerial radiological measurements
Delivery: at the Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) in Las Vegas, Nevada
Pre-requisite: I-AMS Basic and established national aerial radiological response program
5 day course (in English only)
Class size 8-12
Instructors from U.S. DOE AMS radiological emergency response program
Day 1 – Aerial radiological response operations, radiation detection instrumentation,
mission planning and equipment installation in aircraft
Day 2 – Pre-flight briefings, equipment checkout and radiation detection system calibration flights
Day 3 –Multiple aerial missions focused on ground contamination surveys at NNSS (response to a nuclear power plant accident or RDD), and location of radiation anomalies (sources)
Day 4 – Aerial data review, advanced data processing and interpretation, briefing results
Day 5 – Data simulation for proficiency training flights and exercises
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

11. Advanced I-AMS 2014 training class
October 2014 – Advanced aerial operations with SPARCS
(Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan)
Operational flights on DOE Bell 412 helicopter over the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS)
Students/Operators plan, conduct the missions, and analyze data using IEMC SPARCS acquisition system and specialized Advanced Visualization and Integration of Data (AVID) software
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

12. Advanced I-AMS 2014 training class
Aviation safety briefing
Mission planning
Ready for take off
Back on the ground
Data processing
Presenting results
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

13. Advanced I-AMS 2014 training class results
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

14. Take Home Message
If you are considering aerial radiation measurements for emergency response, please contact the IEMC program and attend the I-AMS training in your country, or in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We promise it will be worth it!
Next Advanced I-AMS November 2-6, 2015
IAEA EPR Conference 2015

15. Summary IEMC conducts a variety of courses designed to address
international Partner Nations’ nuclear and radiological emergency response needs including I-AMS. Courses can be tailored to specific needs and applications.
For more information contact:
Vince McClelland, Director
U.S. DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration
International Emergency Management and Cooperation
IAEA EPR Conference 2015