Argon simulates radiation hazard for North West emergency services exercise

In what is understood to be the first UK event of its kind on this scale, a major regional response to terrorism exercise was given an additional degree of realism this month, when Argon Electronics provided Lancashire Fire Service with the ability to safely simulate the release of a radiological hazard.

Exercise DAKOTA was held for FRS and other blue light services in the North West region of England at the Washington Hall training centre on Saturday 12 February 2011.  The scenario involved the simulated crash of an aircraft following a terrorist hijack, and the release of a radioactive material at the site.

Firefighters were initially alerted at 08:00 and upon arrival were greeted by the tail section of an aircraft which had crushed a car with passengers inside.  Billowing black smoke led on to the main body of the aircraft, realistically manned by more 'injured' Casualty Union volunteers who had previously been 'contaminated' with safe simulant materials.  Other simulation sources were strategically located in the wreckage.

Approaching the main 'crash site' during Exercise DAKOTA.

Upon receiving 'intelligence' of potential radiological material release, specialist response units were then deployed.  Equipped with Argon simulators in reflection of the real detectors used by UK fire services, personnel were able to realistically carry out their roles without risk of harm or damage to themselves, other participants, their equipment or the environment.

Argon EPD-Mk2-SIM and RDS-200-SIM simulators supplied to FRS DIM Team.  The real RDS-200 was used with a GMP-11-SIM simulation probe.

FRS DIM Team approach the main crash site using a container for shielding against the simulated radiation threat.

The FRS DIM team approaching the discretely located simulation radiation sources.

Rescue of a 'victim' following identification of potential contamination...

...and cordoning of a simulated source after search with the RDS-200-SIM.

For further information on how Argon systems can enhance your CBRN training and exercises, contact us today.

Argon to attend USAF Global Medical Readiness Symposium 2011

Once again travelling to Orlando, FL, USA, Argon will exhibit at this year's USAF Global Medical Readiness Symposium, 17-18 May 2011.

The symposium will provide delegates with the opportunity to see at first hand the developments in the breadth and depth of Argon systems since they were displayed at this event last year. 

In particular, the PlumeSIM system for CBRN tactical field exercises has a host of new features, whilst at the same time the set up and control interface has been made even easier to use. 

The substantive work in expansion and updating of the range of Argon radiological simulation instruments will be highly visible, with simulation dosimeters, survey/radiac meters and probes being joined by what we believe to be the first spectrometer simulator of its kind, now available for SNM and other specialist training requirements.

For further information about this event or to find out more about how Argon can transform your CBRN training experience, contact us today.

Argon to attend National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference

Following the success of CBRNe Convergence in 2010, Argon Electronics already has two return trips to Orlando in Florida, USA, planned for 2011.

The first is to attend the 21st Annual National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference, 18-21 April, at the Rozen Plaza Hotel.

The focus of the Argon exhibition booth will be the RADPlumeSIM system for tactical radiological wide area field exercise training, with an integrated range of dosimeter, survey meter and spectrometer simulators also on display.

RADPlumeSIM enables cost effective training in the use of radiation dosimeters, survey meters and spectrometers without the need to use ionising radionuclides.

Argon will be returning to Orlando in May for the 2011 USAF Global Medical Readiness Symposium.

Argon at Counter CBRNe Operations 2011

Argon has been invited to speak at SMi's forthcoming Counter CBRNe Operations conference, to be held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel and Conference Centre, London, U.K., 2-3 February 2011.

The Argon paper will be titled "REALISTIC TRAINING WITHOUT RISK: Enhanced CBRN Detection Instrument Training", and will include
 

• The difficulties presented by attempting to train with real detectors

• The instrumented CBRN training systems solution

• Integrated multiple instrument local training

• The complementary nature of simulation to live agent training

• PlumeSIM as a model for wide area CBRN field exercise training

If you've already booked to attend we look forward to seeing you there; to register please click here.

CBRN detector training and simulation into 2011

Argon personnel attended more than a dozen exhibitions in 2010:

• January: 2010 CST/CERP Commanders Conference [Tempe, AZ, USA]
• February: DEFEXPO [New Delhi, India]
• March: NATO International CBRN Workshop [Brussels, Belgium]
• April: USAF Global Medical Readiness Symposium [Orlando, FL, USA]
• June: CBW Symposium [Stockholm, Sweden], IRPA Congress [Helsinki, Finland], Joint CBRN Conference [Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, USA]
• August: DoD Fire and Emergency Services Conference [Chicago, IL, USA]
• October: ASSISTEX III [Rades, Tunisia]
• November: EMEX [San Antonio, TX, USA], CBRNe Convergence [Orlando, FL, USA], 2010 ISOE Symposium [Cambridge, UK], 1st Symposium on CBRN Defence Capabilities [Berlin, Germany]

A number of our international representatives (including 3 of the new companies appointed in 2010) also exhibited Argon simulators at further events in their own territories, took Argon equipment to meetings with their customers, and joined with Argon to make demonstrations to end user organisations in their country.

Promoting the message of Training Without Risk, PlumeSIM was extensively deployed during 2010 to demonstrate the growing range of Argon chemical and radiological simulation instruments. The high level of positive reaction to this wide area tactical CBRN field exercise system has clearly confirmed that the requirement to provide comprehensive and integrated training is increasingly recognised in both the civil and military sectors.

Argon will continue to expand on this capability offering in 2011, enabling enhanced training in the use of chemical and radiological detectors at every level from individual competence to assured and auditable group performance.

As we move forwards in a decade of global change and asymmetric threat, the challenge of meeting the need for CBRN preparedness has not lessened. Argon Electronics remains committed to providing cost effective and safe training solutions in essential contribution to this critical capacity.

Argon radiation survey meter and contamination probe simulator released

Argon has released the RDS-200-SIM for training users in the use of the RDS-200 survey meter.  Using patented technology to safely simulate gamma radiation without the need to use any ionising radionuclides, this innovative design enables instructors to provide trainees with a detailed understanding of equipment function and performance in responding to radiological release events.

RDS-200-SIM is also fully compatible with the PlumeSIM wide area tactical field exercise training system.

The GMP-11-SIM is a simulation probe that responds to safe powders or liquids in simulation of the effects of beta-emitting materials, and can be used with either the RDS-200-SIM or the real RDS-200 survey meter.

Argon RDS-200-SIM and GMP-11-SIM literature.  For further information on our range of chemical and radiological simulation training systems please visit our website at www.argonelectronics.com or e-mail sales@argonelectronics.com.

Argon at Cambridge with Thermo

Accepting the kind invitation of Thermo Scientific to join them on their stand at the 2010 ISOE International Symposium, Argon Electronics demonstrated the growing levels of integrated connectivity between OEM detection systems, instrumented simulators and the PlumeSIM wide area training system at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, 17-19 November 2010.

EPD-Mk2-SIM can be used as a local stand-alone training system, in complementary multi-instrument training with other compatible Argon dosimeter, survey meter and spectrometer simulators, and with the PlumeSIM wide area field exercise system.

The symposium attracted radiological protection experts from the civil nuclear market, with delegates arriving from across Europe and as far afield as Canada, China, Japan South Africa, South Korea and the United States.  A number of the visitors expressed interest in the potential for removing the use of radioactive materials whilst still providing realistic training scenarios for radiation workers.

The Argon equipment on display included the EPD-Mk2-SIM operating under the control of the PlumeSIM system in Live Field Exercise mode from the exhibition's marquee, and which was connected to the Thermo TeleDosimetry system to demonstrate the compatibility between the systems and the means to generate live reporting of fully functional remote dosimeter response without the use of any radionuclides.

Argon EPD-Mk2-SIM mounted on the Thermo EPD Personal Transmitter for training in the use of the Thermo TeleDosimetry system.  EPD-Mk2-SIM is also fully compatible with Thermo administration and management software including Easy EPD and Easy Issue.

Many thanks to Barry, David, Jean-Luc, Natasha and Terry of Thermo for their generous support and and kind hospitality at this event.

Argon EPD-Mk2-SIM literature.  For further information on our range of chemical and radiological simulation training systems please visit our website at www.argonelectronics.com or e-mail sales@argonelectronics.com.