Appendix E: Education and Training Pathways

A RIID is only as good as the operator behind it. Programs that field SAM family handhelds and the RD-120 / RD-150 system invest in three layers of training: initial certification, recurring drills, and after-action capture.

E.1 Initial Certification

• CTOS (Counterterrorism Operations Support). The Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training delivers operator-level radiological response courses funded through DHS. Courses include hands-on practice with handheld RIIDs and backpack systems. CTOS courses are the most common baseline credential for HazMat operators on a radiological response team.
• NCBRT (National Center for Biomedical Research and Training). State and local partner courses, including the Field Force Operations and PER series.
• State Radiation Control Program. Most states deliver an introductory course on radiological materials and licensee interaction. For RIID operators, this is the right place to learn the state-level reachback channel.
• Manufacturer training. Berkeley Nucleonics offers operator training at customer sites and at the San Rafael office. New SAM 940+ purchases include an introductory training package; ask the BNC sales team for the current curriculum.

E.2 Recurring Drills

• Quarterly hands-on drill with at least one of: vehicle stop, public event sweep, NORM cargo, post-detonation tabletop. Rotate scenarios.
• Monthly check-source verification with documented spectrum capture.
• Annual reachback channel exercise, including a real spectrum transmission to a duty physicist.

E.3 After-Action Capture

Every real event becomes training material. Save the spectrum, the operator notes, the reachback determination, and the disposition. Add a short narrative of what worked and what would change. After-action packets feed the next drill cycle and the next edition of departmental SOPs.

E.4 Recommended Reading

• ANSI N42.34 and N42.42 (current editions)
• IEC 62327
• IAEA Nuclear Security Series 24-G, on the use of radiation detection equipment in nuclear security
• NCRP Report 138 on management of terrorist events involving radioactive material
• The current SAM family operator manuals shipped with your instruments

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