On purpose to vouch permanent emergency preparedness in Radiation protection centre (thereinafter - RPC) in 2004th was established interior Emergency preparedness organization of Radiation protection centre (thereinafter - EPO RPC), which members, all employees of RPC belong to adequate functional groups (as analyses, communication, laboratory and other). During radiation accidents and incidents RPC practice is organized according RPC Emergency preparedness plan. In case of radiological or nuclear accident RPC director, who also is head of EPO RPC, activates all or only the part of this organization considering to situation.
Every year members of EPO RPC are trained according general regulations of EPO RPC employees training and instructing that was prepared implementing PHARE twinning light project „Radiation protection“. In case of accident EPO RPC functional group follows the RPC Emergency preparedness plan, suitable instructions that are designed to separate group.
Functionality of RPC Emergency preparedness organization and RPC Emergency preparedness plan is tested every year in various table top exercises that are organized both together with other Lithuanian and foreign countries institutions and only for members of separate functional EPO RPC group.
In cooperation with various Ministries of the Lithuanian Republic (as Health Care, Interior, National Defense, Environment and others) and other state institutions it is publishing and correcting legal instruments that specifies actions, responsibility of institutions in case of nuclear or radiological accident.
When the PHARE Twinning light project “Strengthening of emergency preparedness for nuclear and radiological accidents” would be implemented, then Radiation emergency management centre will be established in Radiation protection centre, which will vouch good work conditions for members of RPC Emergency preparedness organization in case of radiation accident. During this project RPC specialists raised qualification, participated in seminars that were organized by specialist of Swedish Radiation protection authority (SSI), shared with experience. Furthermore, Radiation protection centre got excess laboratory equipments and modern mobile laboratory. In cooperation with Swedish Radiation protection authority (SSI) Radiation protection centre specialists participated in much practical training, they know planning of Swedish preparedness for radiation accidents and structure of radiation monitoring.
Together with Finland Radiation and nuclear protection regulatory authority (STUK) it was prepared training material about radiation accidents and its influence on health, protective and precautionary measures, methods of dosimetric control and deactivation, reception and treatment in hospitals for civil protection and rescue system force workers. This material was introduced in the courses, which in counties chief’s administrations, civil protection departments, health care, policies, fire protection and rescue services workers participated.
Every year RPC organize seminars and courses for specialists of health care institutions. In these seminars and courses medical workers are introduced with radiation sickness, radiation burns, its treatment methods, evaluation, deactivation procedures of radioactive pollution, staff protective procedures, peculiarities of medical aid rendering in case of radiation accident and etc. Radiation protection centre specialists also organize seminars for other fast response services, license holders, and others, during which last-mentioned services employees are training how to protect themselves from ionizing radiation and obviate its procured results. Not only employees from Lithuania, but also foreign countries employees, who are sent by International atomic energy agency (IAEA) and working in radiation protection field, get practice and knowledge in Radiation protection centre.
MOBILE RADIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
The mobile radiological laboratory (MRL) of Radiation Protection Centre (RPC) was received in 2006 as a part of support of EU Phare programe project. The assessment of situation after the radiation or nuclear accident is one of the most important and complicated tasks. MRL has been designed for in situ radiological measurements. The laboratory is arranged in “Mercedes” minivan and has all necessary equipment for radiological measurements. Using this mobile laboratory we can easily reach the place of accident and immediately start the measurements.
Most of the measurements should be performed while the minivan is not moving, however, dose rate measurements can be done in the moving car. The exact coordinates of dose rate measurement could be found later using GPS. Hereby it’s easier to identify contaminated areas or places where lost sources of ionizing radiation were found.
There is also a possibility to measure air contamination due beta and gamma radionuclides, radioiodine in aerosol and gaseous forms. These radionuclides are discharged into atmosphere in the case of nuclear accidents. Using the portable gamma spectrometer the evaluation and identification of radionuclide in different type of samples can be easily done in the place of accident. However, for complex analysis, the transportation of samples in the radiological laboratory of RPC is needed.
Besides measuring devices there is personal protection equipment and equipment for decontamination.
Two comfortable working places are installed in MRL. For communication of three-member team, including a driver, MRL is equipped with a radio station. To maintain comfortable working conditions and ensure proper operation of equipment, thee are air-conditioning units and heating system. Generator is installed to provide the required power-supply during field operation.
The equipment in the mobile laboratory is under constant maintenance. RPC staff participated in common exercises with experts of Swedish Radiation Protection Authority, where comparison measurements were done.
The MRL is also used for the investigations of soil contamination with radionuclides in Lithuania. The results of these investigations are very important for evaluation of Cs-137 distribution and migration in the soil after Chernobyl accident and nuclear weapons testing in fifties 20 century. The more detailed information about the results will be published later elsewhere.
