THE EVOLUTION OF NON-MILITARY NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DURING PERIODS OF TRANSITION

Abstract

This paper is about the evolution of nuclear and radiological preparedness primarily in the U.S. over the last 50 years. In the first chapter, the reader is provided the understanding that non-military nuclear and radiological preparedness from a public standpoint during the 1970s through the end of the century was reactive in nature due to the infancy of the new field with nuclear and radioactive uses first starting in the 40s, the creation of new agencies and real world events providing lessons learned and best practices. The second chapter focuses on radiological security and its life cycle in the U.S. starting in the early 2000s to a point of maturity today. The final chapter provides the reader context on how one might determine if government preparedness is effective with the use of tabletop exercises.