August 20, 2014 NNSS Waste Program and Emergency Responders Team Up Southern Nevada emergency responders, local and state government, and federal officials are demonstrating their ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness in the event of a transportation accident involving low-level radioactive waste.  During a series of ongoing meetings and tabletop exercises, these organizations are walking through a hypothetical accident scene together, identifying actions relating to scene assessment and response, notifications, mutual aid, and follow-up investigations.  An upcoming tour will allow emergency responders to get a first-hand look at the destination for low-level waste shipments—the Nevada National Security Site's Area 5 Waste Management Complex.  "These joint activities benefit everyone in the room," said Clark County Hazmat Coordinator, Richard Brenner.  "It gets all entities talking… what are your procedures when it comes to responding to a radiological incident?  How can we work together to assist one another?" The National Nuclear Security Administration's Nevada Field Office engages in numerous local emergency response trainings throughout the year. Nevada Field Office Manager Steve Lawrence continues to emphasize the site's commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns while boosting agency collaboration.  "We're members of this community, and we want to work together in an open and transparent manner," Lawrence told the group.  "However we can help leverage communication between local, state, and federal entities, we're here to do that."  During a July tabletop, Jeffery Packett of Hittman Transport explains that Hittman trucks are equipped with a sophisticated tracking system to provide real-time location and status information.  Meeting participants included Nevada Highway Patrol, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Clark County Fire Department, Nevada State Health/Radiological Control, the Nye County Southern Hazmat Team, Lincoln and Esmeralda County Emergency Managers, and local hospitals. Visit us at www.nv.energy.gov

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