The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the FBI announced Thursday the conclusion of the "Gamma Shield Thunder" exercise at LDS Hospital meant to train officials there in how to respond to terrorist attacks involving radiological material.
The exercise is part of the table-top series of an NNSA program called "Silent Thunder" meant to offer federal, state, and local officials as well as first responders and law enforcement experience in responding to terrorist attacks involving radiological material.
NNSA is funding and conducting the program in conjunction with the FBI to educate officials about the danger of nuclear terrorism. Exercises have been conducted in 22 states and Washington, D.C., and federal officials aim to bring the program to more states in the future.
The particular exercise completed Thursday at the hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, involved a fake scenario in which terrorists tried to take control of high-activity radiological sources by entering hospital facilities.
"From Intermountain Healthcare Central Region’s perspective, this exercise allowed us to achieve a number of goals," Glen Buma, Central Region director of safety and security, said of the exercise. "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."
Buma labeled the exercise an "excellent experience" overall.
The exercises are organized at select locations nationwide that have facilities with nuclear or high-activity radioactive materials.