Federal radiological response in the United States

Under the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan (FRERP), the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) coordinates all federal off-site radiological assistance to state and local governments in the event of a major radiological emergency in the United States. In response to a major radiological emergency, the FRMAC is established by the US Department of Energy to coordinate all federal assets involved in conducting a comprehensive programme of environmental monitoring, sampling, radioanalysis, quality assurance, and dose assessment. This programme includes: (i) aerial radiological monitoring - fixed-wing and helicopter; (ii) field monitoring and sampling; (iii) radioanalysis - mobile and institutional laboratories; (iv) radiation detection instrumentation - calibration and maintenance; (v) environmental dosimetry; and (vi) integrated programme of Quality Assurance. The structure, assets, and operations of the FRMAC programme are discussed.