Positions & Resolutions

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc.
 
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Administrative Positions & Resolutions

CRCPD RESOLUTION
[May 22, 2008]

Relating to:  Tracking of vehicles or devices carrying portable, highly radioactive sources that require Increased Controls

WHEREAS:

National and international efforts are underway to secure highly radioactive sources that have potentially significant health and safety hazards, especially to prevent intentional unauthorized access and potential malicious acts; and

WHEREAS:

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Agreement States have imposed Orders requiring certain radioactive materials licensees to implement Increased Controls to prevent unauthorized access to highly radioactive sources; and

WHEREAS:

Certain licensees operating under Orders for Increased Controls, such as industrial radiographers, use highly radioactive sources in a portable or mobile fashion and as such are at increased risk while away from the authorized and secured storage location; and

WHEREAS:

The Orders for Increased Controls focus on securing sources and preventing unauthorized access or theft, and do not address recovery options for lost or stolen sources; and

WHEREAS:

Preventative measures alone have not completely stopped vehicles containing industrial radiography sources from being stolen (for example, a vehicle was stolen in August 2006 in Everett, Washington, resulting in significant efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to recover the vehicle and its highly radioactive source); and

WHEREAS:

GPS technology is a proven effective and inexpensive means for tracking items as small as a cell phone, and, in fact, was instrumental in the rapid recovery of a radioactive portable gauge in another missing source incident in Washington State; and

 WHEREAS:

The Orders for Increased Controls are designated as Compatibility level B, thus preventing Agreement States from requiring appropriate licensees, or out-of-state licensees, to install GPS systems in their vehicles or on the equipment containing the source to aid in recovery if and when prevention fails; and

 WHEREAS:

Licensees and law enforcement need every advantage to assure expedited recovery of lost or stolen highly radioactive sources before malevolent acts or accidental exposures can harm the public.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

CRCPD supports the position that a means for recovery of lost or stolen highly radioactive sources that have been transported from a licensee’s facility should be allowed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That CRCPD finds global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking or similar tracking technologies will assist as a recovery tool for locating vehicles or devices carrying portable and highly radioactive sources subject to Increased Controls.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That CRCPD supports the State of Washington’s efforts to find mechanisms to allow Agreement States the options of requiring the use of a tracking system at the state level.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That CRCPD supports a cooperative relationship between the states and the federal government to bolster public confidence in the overall security and recoverability of portable, highly radioactive sources.

Approved by the CRCPD Membership May 22, 2008.

 

Original signed by Debbie Bray Gilley, CRCPD Chairperson