The Field exercise on Source identification and recovery was successfully conducted at the national radioactive waste management facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 16 to 17 August 2018.
The 15 participants to this exercise were coming from three partner countries: Ethiopia (host country), Uganda and Ghana. They were guided by three facilitators of ENCO and SCK-CEN.
On the first day, the Consortium representatives gave 5 different presentations on radiation physics and protection, equipment and technical explanations on the different phases of search, identification, characterization and recovery. It included a demonstration of various detection and identification/characterization equipment by the Consortium facilitators. The Staff of the Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority (ERPA) also made presentations on specific equipment available to them. During and after presentations, the participants had ample opportunity to practice with the equipment, extending their familiarity and learning how to use the equipment. The Consultants were available for detailed explanations and practical advice.
The scenario of the Field exercise was presented and explained in detail. Relevant standard operating procedures (SOP) were presented and the participants trained on their use.
The second day was devoted to the Field exercise, which took place at and around the National radioactive waste management facility. Following the exercise scenario, the participants, who were divided into 2 groups of about 5 to 6 people having different tasks (2 people to go in the field with PPE and equipment, 1 or 2 communication officers and 2 radiological assessors), under the leadership of the Consultant, exercised with appropriate equipment for the different phases of search, identification/characterization and recovery of hidden radioactive sources. Two different variants of the exercise were done: in the morning (because of bad weather conditions), the exercise was held inside the building (group 1), while in the afternoon, we could do the exercise outside the building (group 2). Advices were given all along these two days and, at the end of the exercise.
The debriefing was organized, at which all participants expressed themselves about the quality of the exercise and their ways of improvement for conducting search, identification/characterization and recovery of radioactive sources. All of participants were very enthusiastic and willing to apply soon in their countries the knowledge that they received.
