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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gamma Shield Thunder Nuclear Terrorism Exercise Concludes

An exercise program called Silent Thunder, which directly addresses the dangers of nuclear terrorism, which was developed and conducted in partnership by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and FBI, today concluded the Gamma Shield Thunder counterterrorism drill.

The Gamma Shield Thunder table-top exercise was conducted at LDS Hospital — a general urban hospital and surgical center in Salt Lake City, Utah — as part of NNSA’s Silent Thunder table-top series which is designed to provide federal, state and local officials, first responders and law enforcement critical, hands-on experience in responding to a terrorist attack involving radiological materials.

The NNSA began the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Counterterrorism Exercise Program in 1999, and it’s grown to include both domestic Department of Energy facilities and private sector locations such as hospitals and universities. The exercises have been carried out primarily within the United States, but have included foreign participants as well.

To date, NNSA and FBI have conducted Silent Thunder exercises in 22 states and the District of Columbia, with plans to reach additional states in the future.

The exercise series recognizes that reducing the risk of radiological or nuclear terrorism requires a whole-of-community approach that brings together officials and responders from the federal, state, local and facility levels.

"I was really impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm the folks from facility, local and state emergency services," said Derek Estes, who led the federal team that organized the exercise. "We’ve seen a real growth in readiness across the emergency management community we work with nationally."

This Gamma Shield Thunder exercise played out a fictitious scenario in which terrorists attempted to seize control of high-activity radiological sources by infiltrating hospital facilities. The participating officials worked cooperatively to assess and respond to simulated facility alarms and then manage the crisis as if it were actually happening.

The goal of these exercises is to provide first-hand crisis management experience, facilitate coordination between multiple agencies and improve both security and emergency response methods. Exercises take place in select locations across the country with facilities that house nuclear or high-activity radioactive materials.

“From Intermountain Healthcare Central Region’s perspective, this exercise allowed us to achieve a number of goals,” said Central Region Director of Safety and Security Glen Buma. “We were able to evaluate the region’s procedures and tactical decision making, exercise our mutual aid and Unified Command structure, improve communication and interoperability between local law enforcement and surrounding jurisdictions and evaluate our resiliency planning and continuity of operations. Overall, this was an excellent experience that provided enormous benefit to our region’s hospital preparedness.”

The exercise series is jointly organized and funded by NNSA’s Global Material Security (GMS), NNSA’s Office of Counterterrorism Policy and Cooperation and the FBI.

The federal agencies participating in Gamma Shield Thunder were joined by authorities representing federal, state, county and municipal agencies including: the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV; Department of Homeland Security; Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS); Sandia National Laboratories; the 85th WMD Civil Support Team; and the Utah Agencies, the State Intelligence Fusion Center; Department of Public Safety, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Health; Salt Lake City and County Health Departments; Salt Lake City Emergency Management; Murray City and Salt Lake City Fire Departments, Murray City and Salt Lake City Police Departments and Intermountain Healthcare, Inc. representatives.

NNSA’s GMS, in coordination with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Homeland Security, installs voluntary security upgrades at hospitals and other civilian sites housing high-activity radiological sources that are commonly used in medical procedures and other commercial activities.

Preceding the Gamma Shield Thunder exercise, central region instituted these GMS radiological security improvements. These security upgrades further reduce the potential for theft or misuse of radiological materials that could be used in a dirty bomb. These voluntary upgrades are in addition to increased security enhancements required by NRC and NRC agreement states since 2006.

Started in 1999, NNSA’s Office of Counterterrorism Policy and Cooperation’s WMD Counterterrorism Exercise Program took on an expanded role following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Since the program began, over 8,700 international, federal, state and local officials have participated in 100 different exercises. To promote full participation by state and local officials, Silent Thunder exercises are unclassified and utilize open source information for scenario development and are conducted in a no-fault environment.

Gamma Shield Thunder Nuclear Terrorism Exercise Concludes Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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