Upcoming Classes:

Please contact comments@georgiapoisoncenter.org or 404-616-9235 if you are interested in scheduling a class in your area.

Program Description: The United States has been using nuclear energy for electricity production since 1957. According to the Energy Information Administration, nuclear energy produces 20% of our total electricity and 70% of our low-carbon electricity. There are 104 commercial nuclear power reactors currently producing electricity in 31 states. License applications have been submitted to construct 26 new nuclear reactors in the United States. In addition, the use of nuclear power is increasing around the world, with nuclear power plants supplying 14% of the world’s electricity. There are 29 countries worldwide that operate a total of 437 nuclear reactors for electricity production and there are 65 new reactors under construction in 15 countries. Recently, the Fukashima Dai-ichi nuclear plant crisis in Japan in March 2011 impacted countries located thousands of miles away. Several questions and issues became evident as the events unraveled. These issues included evacuation measures, water and food safety, traveler screening, and the use of drugs like potassium iodide. Globalization and the rising number of nuclear reactors, underscore the need to educate all members of society, particularly healthcare providers, about nuclear power plant emergencies and to solidify preparedness for such rare yet devastating events.

Target Audience: The Nuclear Plant Emergency Response training is intended for pre-hospital care providers and first responders and first receivers as well as public health responders who may be called on to respond to a nuclear plant emergency incident and/or treat victims of a nuclear plant emergency.

Prerequisites: Basic First Aid

Format: Live

Fees: There is a fee for this course. Please contact us about costs and how to pay.

Objectives: Upon completion of the NPER course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe basic radiation physics principles including ionizing radiation, radioactive decay, nuclear fission, and exposure/contamination.
2. Describe the functioning & potential malfunctioning of a nuclear power plant.
3. Discuss protective action measures including the use of medical countermeasures in the aftermath of a nuclear power plant accident.
4. Discuss the acute & chronic clinical effects from a nuclear power plant accident.
5. Discuss population monitoring in the aftermath of a nuclear power plant accident.
6. Discuss the issues surrounding food and water safety after a nuclear power plant accident.
7. Discuss the mental health effects in a community affected by a nuclear power plant emergency.
8. Describe the state of Georgia & Federal Nuclear Power Plant emergency response plan.
9. Identify the roles pharmacists play in emergency preparedness (e.g. bioterrorism and chemical terrorism, natural disasters) and response teams (e.g. medication dispensing, information provision, vaccination response teams, medical reserve corps) on the local and national levels.

Faculty:

1. Jim Hardeman, MSNE
2. Ziad Kazzi, MD
3. Jeff Morrison, BS

For more information please email comments@georgiapoisoncenter.org