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1.1 This practice provides decision-making considerations for response to incidents that involve radioactive materials. It provides information and guidance for what to include in response planning, and what activities to conduct during a response. The scope of this standard practice does not explicitly consider response to INDs or nuclear power plant accidents.3 It does not expressly address emergency response to contamination of food or water supplies.

1.2 This practice applies to those emergency response agencies that have a role in the response to a radiological incident, excluding an IND incident. It should be used in emergency services response such as law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical response actions.

1.3 This practice assumes that implementation begins with the recognition of a radiological incident and ends when emergency response actions cease or the response is assumed by specialized regional, state, or federal response teams.

1.4 AHJs using this practice will identify hazards, develop a plan, acquire and track equipment, and provide training consistent with the descriptions provided in Section 6. AHJs not able to meet the requirements should refer to the United States (US) Department of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) for guidance on how to manage radiological incidents (DOT, current version). This standard practice provides additional guidance and is not intended to replace the ERG, rather to supplement it (see Annex A14).

1.5 This standard practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard practice to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

5.1 It is essential for response agency personnel to plan, develop, implement, and train on standardized guidelines that encompass policy, strategy, operations, and tactical decisions prior to responding to a radiological incident. Use of this standard practice is recommended for all levels of the response structure.

5.2 Documents developed from this standard practice should be referenced and revised as necessary and reviewed on a two-year cycle. The review should consider new and updated requirements and guidance, technologies, and other information or equipment that might have a significant impact on the management and outcome of radiological incidents.