Radiological Preparedness in the Land of Lincoln

Area of Science:

• Emergency management
• Nuclear event preparedness
• Public health response

Background:

• Illinois and Chicago have undertaken extensive planning for improvised nuclear device (IND) events since 2010.
• Over 300 public and private entities collaborated on these preparedness efforts.
• A key planning assumption was a 10 kT IND detonation in downtown Chicago.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review past, current, and future preparedness strategies for IND events in Illinois, focusing on Chicago.
• To identify capability gaps and task sequencing challenges in response planning.
• To highlight national initiatives addressing resource deficiencies for IND and radiological dispersal device (RDD) response.

Main Methods:

• Review of past preparedness efforts, summits, and workshops.
• Analysis of task sequencing, interdependencies, and resource constraints.
• Conducting a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V integrated IND Senior Leaders Tabletop Exercise.
• Highlighting the Radiological Operations Support Specialist (ROSS) initiative and the Radiation Response Volunteer Corps Program.

Main Results:

• Essential response planning documents were produced, and major tasks were identified.
• A tabletop exercise revealed challenges in performing key response tasks, indicating a need for further preparedness.
• A significant capability gap exists in technical resources for response, recovery, and population monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Despite considerable planning efforts, substantial work remains to enhance IND preparedness in Illinois.
• The ROSS initiative and Radiation Response Volunteer Corps Program are crucial national efforts to address resource deficiencies.
• These programs aim to provide necessary resources consistent with the Emergency Management Assistance Compact for all hazards.