Year
2011
Abstract
Trainees who are provided with the opportunity to practice using hands-on field training techniques are more likely to retain information than from just traditional classroom lectures. Retaining information is extremely important in crisis situations where transfer of skills in an actual situation becomes ever increasing critical especially with the likelihood of a domestic terrorist event. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)1 training and associated potential terrorist events is extremely complex involving many aspects of prevention, protection, response, assessment, and/or containment. Hands-on training allows trainees to analyze themselves, their peers and their teacher responses in relation to their performance through simulated scenarios. Simulated scenarios enhance each trainee?s critical thinking skills in simulated events. The Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12NSC) has elevated several training programs by responding to high-quality hands-on training over the last several years. These training programs have blossomed into robust well-managed programs that have provided industry, academia, government officials, international officials and local law enforcement agencies with the ability to train, prepare and assess skills in relation to particular areas of need. Y-12NSC is unique as it provides an excellent setting for these training venues because of the feel of a well-protected facility with actual nuclear processing areas, safe use of actual radioactive materials, perimeters and boundaries (high-secure fencing), highly trained guard force, and vacated processing buildings from the Manhattan project era. The Y-12NSC is well suited for these hands-on programs with access to research related to National Security at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and access to government land. Y-12NSC will continue to promote and enhance the CBRN programs by providing these unique hands-on settings not available in the rest of the nation or world.