Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Hosts International Atomic Energy Agency

Event Nuclear Power Specialists from 11 Countries Train for Nuclear Power Plant Emergencies

Texas A&M University Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) hosted and supported an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) training event, the Interregional Training Course on Establishing Arrangements and Capabilities for Emergency Preparedness and Response, at the TEEX Emergency Operations Training Center in College Station, Texas, October 14-18, 2024. Eighteen participants representing eleven countries attended the event to develop or strengthen their country’s capability for emergency preparedness and response to severe conditions at a nuclear power plant. Participants included nuclear power specialists from Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia; IAEA subject matter experts from Brazil and Slovenia; and a representative from IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

TEEX hosted the training in collaboration with The Texas A&M University System National Laboratories Office, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Nuclear Engineering and Science Center, the Texas A&M University Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the U.S. Department of State.

Chancellor John Sharp of The Texas A&M University System said, “The Texas A&M University System employs many leaders in the fields of nuclear security and emergency preparedness and response. This event brought some of these experts together to share knowledge and enhance global security. When Texas A&M University System institutions collaborate, we truly demonstrate our strength and excellence.”

During the event, participants learned about emergency response safety standards, nuclear power plant emergencies, health and environmental impacts, and instruments and equipment used in radiological emergency response. They gained experience in developing plans and procedures for emergency response, managing the public and media response and taking protective actions in a nuclear power plant emergency. Additionally, they participated in mock media interviews and a scenario-based tabletop exercise and had opportunities to network with faculty and students from Texas A&M University. On the final day, they participated in a radiation source detection scenario in Disaster City® led by Dr. Craig Marianno, Texas A&M University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering associate professor and Deputy Director of the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives.

Marianne Nari Fisher of ANL said, “Through this course, TEEX, ANL and the IAEA strengthened global capabilities for handling nuclear emergencies. By equipping experts from around the globe with the knowledge and tools they need to respond effectively to nuclear emergencies, the international community is more prepared to prevent accidents at facilities and mitigate their potential impacts.”

TEEX Agency Director David Coatney said, “TEEX is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative to enhance the capabilities, safety, and security of countries worldwide. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency to provide this impactful training on relevant issues that may arise in a nuclear power plant emergency.”

About TEEX

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is an internationally recognized leader in emergency response training, workforce training and technical assistance. In 2023, TEEX trained more than 212,000 participants from every U.S. state and territory and 118 countries worldwide.

Major TEEX programs include Fire and Emergency Services, Infrastructure and Safety, Law Enforcement and Protective Services, and Business and Cyber Solutions. Additionally, through its National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC), TEEX provides federally funded homeland security training and technical assistance for communities across the nation. The agency also sponsors the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) and the Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue Team.

For more information, visit teex.org

Distributed by:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Vita Vaughn | Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO
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