The U.S. Energy and Justice departments yesterday kicked off a key part of a joint program to provide refurbished radiation-detection equipment to local first-responder units (see GSN, March 6).  Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham transferred the program’s first shipment of refurbished equipment to Washington emergency management officials.

Under the Homeland Defense Equipment Reuse program, state and local first-responder units can receive radiation detection equipment and other tools to increase domestic preparedness, Energy said in a press release.  The department plans to refurbish the equipment and provide it at no cost to users in local first-response units identified by Justice’s Office for Domestic Preparedness.

The Justice office plans to train local first responders how to use the equipment, the Energy press release said.  Local support and maintenance as well as follow-up training is to be provided in connection with the Health Physics Society, a 6,000-member organization of radiation safety professionals.

“We are proud to help ensure that our law enforcement and emergency personnel have the necessary equipment and training to prepare them to respond effectively and thoroughly to any emergency,” Abraham said.  “And, we are pleased to provide DOE resources to help ensure America’s homeland defense” (U.S. Energy Department release, Sept. 5).

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