VIDEO: State police and federal agencies are participating in a radiological emergency response exercises. Authorities have indicated that the exercise simulates either a power plant meltdown or a manmade bomb scenario. A Leonardo A-W139 helicopter is a key tool in the training, with its crews typically being the first responders at a disaster scene. The helicopter’s mission is to survey the area, identify the source of radiation, determine which isotopes are present, and measure the dose rate. This critical data is then relayed to ground agencies, potentially saving lives. Dr. Jacqueline Brandon, a scientist involved in the exercise, highlighted the helicopter’s capabilities.
“One of our first major events that we surveyed with our new aircraft was the inauguration. So we surveyed the entire DC area. We were flying at a hundred fifty feet above ground level, so very low, and we fly very slow, so that we can get a detailed map of the area. By flying in a grid pattern, we can get a full coverage of the DC area, and determine where there are variations in background radiation,” said Brandon.
