Local public health preparedness for radiological and nuclear incidents [WorldCat Entities]

"According to the 2010 National Security Strategy, the American people face no greater or more urgent danger than a terrorist attack with a nuclear weapon. An attack, or RN incident, may come in several forms: a "dirty bomb," detonation of an improvised nuclear device (IND; nuclear weapon), a radioactive source placed in a public place, or contamination of the food and water supply with radioactive materials. In March 2011, an earthquake and a tsunami caused the release of radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear powerplant in Japan. The public health concerns resulting from this incident emphasize the importance of emergency planning for all types of RN incidents. Without planning for such incidents, including how to monitor radiological contamination, identify and treat contaminated patients, and disseminate critical public health information, public health officials will not be adequately prepared to quickly respond to an RN incident and protect the public. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the lead Federal department for emergency preparedness and response, notes that proper planning for RN incidents can save tens of thousands of lives. DHS also states that while Federal assistance may be needed in an emergency, the initial response will come from the local level. Therefore, localities need to be prepared to respond quickly to various emergency scenarios."