COMBATING NUCLEAR TERRORISM: Federal Efforts to Respond to Nuclear and Radiological Threats and to Protect Emergency Response Capabilities Could Be Strengthened

Abstract

The Department of Energy (DOE)maintains an emergency response capability to quickly respond to potential nuclear and radiological threats in the United States. This capability has taken on increased significance after the attacks of September 11, 2001, because there is heightened concern that terrorists may try to detonate a nuclear or radiological device in a major U.S. city. This report discusses (1) the capabilities and assets DOE has to prevent and respond to potential nuclear and radiological attacks in the United States, (2) the physical security measures in place at DOEs two key emergency response facilities and whether they are consistent with DOE guidance, and (3) the benefits of using DOEs aerial background radiation surveys to enhance emergency response capabilities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 21, 2006
Accession Number
AD1180282

Entities

People

  • Gene Aloise

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Aerial Surveys
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Background Radiation
  • Congress
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Emergency Response
  • Environmental Protection
  • Explosives
  • Homeland Security
  • Hot Spots
  • Law Enforcement
  • Local Governments
  • Materials
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Personnel Management
  • Physical Security
  • Public Health
  • Radiological Weapons
  • Remote Sensing
  • Security
  • United States
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Strategic Security Studies