Response to Nuclear Security Events

Remote controlled caterpillar vehicle with high-purity germanium detector for the indentification of radioactive material ("manipulator robot", exercise scenario)

In Germany, the federal states ("Bundesländer") are responsible for protecting the population against threats, including those involving the malicious use of nuclear or radioactive material.

The BfS can support other civil authorities, provided that radiological dangers are present. If the civil authorities responding to an event involving radioactive material out of regulatory control require support, the BfS can offer help. The working group for the defence against nuclear hazards (NGA) has the task of preparing the entire BfS for just such requests.

Response to Nuclear Security Events (Nuklearspezifische Gefahrenabwehr, NGA)

The response to nuclear security events involves preparing for and responding to situations in which radioactive material is out of regulatory control, in particular cases where the material is being used maliciously. This also covers the loss or discovery of radioactive materials in the event that this could possibly lead to danger to people or damage to property. For all these instances of the defence against nuclear hazards, police and radiation protection authorities must work together during the response.

If the civil authorities responding to an event involving nuclear or radioactive material out of regulatory control require support, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) can provide help in the form of personnel, measurement equipment and expert advice in the fields of physics, chemistry and medicine.

The BfS works together with German security authorities to ensure that the preparation for a response to the potential malicious use of nuclear or radioactive material is up-to-date.

German CBRN response capabilities on the federal level (UnterstützungsverBund CBRN)

Within the German CBRN response capabilities on the federal level (UnterstützungsverBund CBRN), experts from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Federal Police (BPOL) and the BfS cooperate in the event of misuse of radioactive material. If threats involving radioactive material occur, Federal or Länder (federal states) authorities can request assistance from the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN. It is then integrated into the existing deployment structure. The UnterstützungsverBund CBRN can also be deployed during the response to threats due to chemical or biological substances.

A key task of the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN is the handling of hazardous situations that are relevant to policing and also radiation protection. In addition, the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN regularly advises Länder authorities and other authorities responsible for the response to nuclear security events on the assessment of incidents.

The authorities involved in the UnterstützungsverBund CBRN prepare for a possible deployment by taking part in regular exercises and training sessions.

Misuse of nuclear material ("dirty bomb")

The "dirty bomb" scenario is of prime concern in recent international efforts to secure highly radioactive sources against terrorist abuse and use in weapons of mass destruction.

"Dirty bombs" are devices which make use of conventional explosives to disperse radioactive material. The detonation would result in the dispersion of the radioactive material contained in the bomb into the environment. The potential radiological danger caused by a "dirty bomb" is generally over-estimated.