The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said Monday it will be conducting background radiation testing through Friday with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The tests will be conducted under the Nuclear Incident Response Team (NIRT) program and will use an Aerial Measuring System (AMS) in conjunction with a Florence, South Carolina, exercise.
The AMS is used to determine the nature of ground-deposited radiation detected by aircraft-mounted instruments. The testing process also involves computer analysis of data and will ultimately serve to create maps of radiation concentration. While collecting data, the aircraft will conduct overall surveys and equipment will be used to locate sources of radiological material.
Throughout the testing period residents of North and South Carolina can expect to see slow, low-flying aircraft.
Local, state and federal agencies will be taking part in the exercise that will allow them to go over what this activity consists of in a controlled environment. They will also be taking part in deployment exercises and testing the capabilities of their response and assessments during a simulated radiological emergency. This will better prepare responders to radiological events and accidents.
NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.
