2009 Radiological Threat Summit Raises Awareness of Potential Threats

Feb. 25, 2009

R-TAC Summit brings together key stakeholders in Washington to discuss radiological preparedness

WASHINGTON , Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition held the 2009 Radiological Threat Awareness Summit at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. In attendance were a wide-range of top homeland security specialists, government officials, members of the private sector, first responders, and policy experts.

Less than one-third of the population feels they are prepared for a terrorist attack, specifically a radiological attack such as a "dirty bomb." Yet over eighty percent of Americans feel this type of threat is imminent. The Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition (R-TAC) was formed in 2008 to lessen this preparedness gap through education and awareness campaigns.

"Today we brought together individuals from across the public and private sectors to discuss a very serious threat to our national security for which we are underprepared," said R-TAC Chairman James Pinkerton . "By creating a dialogue among these key stakeholders, we can help to better prepare our country in the event one of these attacks occur."

Dr. Jeffery Runge , the former Assistant Secretary of Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Department of Homeland Security, presented his new comprehensive primer on how to manage threats posed by radiological dispersion devices. Additionally, there was a panel discussion regarding the federal and local resources needed to meet the challenges posed by radiological threats, and a presentation by Branch Chief of Chemical, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures at the Office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Dr. Ronald Manning .

About R-TAC

The Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition (R-TAC) was established to increase awareness and preparedness in this country against a possible radiological attack such as a "dirty bomb." Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, Americans have been keenly aware of the dangers of weapons of mass destruction falling in the wrong hands. Major initiatives have been implemented to prevent chemical, biological and nuclear attacks. But despite this trend, there has not been enough of a concerted effort focused on the threat of a radiological attack such as a "dirty bomb."

For additional information, please visit us online at: http://www.r-tac.org/

SOURCE Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition

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