First radiation detection class graduates

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has graduated its first class from a new Advanced Radiation Detection course in Las Vegas.

The Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office announced the graduation of the class from the five-day course.

Officials say the class is an effort to teach skills needed to detect and investigate the potential malicious use of radioactive or nuclear material for participants from state, local and municipal jurisdictions.

"The Advanced Radiation Detection course is the capstone course in the national preventive radiological and nuclear detection curriculum," said Vayl S. Oxford, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office director, in a statement.

"This curriculum aids state and local jurisdictions in joining the national radiological and nuclear detection mission."

The curriculum consists of an eight-hour Personal Radiation Detector course and a 16-hour Radioisotope Identification Device course where students learn skills in detecting radioactive material, assessing detection instrument alarms, and adjudicating radiological and nuclear alarms.

The national PRND training and exercise policy is overseen by DNDO in an effort to offer law enforcement and emergency responders the opportunity to enhance PRND capabilities.