Jun 26, 202426 June 2024, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) recently conducted a training for 30 first responders to the radiological or nuclear emergencies in the Civil Defense Academy to strengthen capacity and ensure readiness to address nuclear and radiological emergencies.
The training, the first to be conducted based on the new UAE National Qualification for "Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Worker," which was issued by the National Qualifications Centre (NQC) of the Ministry of Education, covers topics including radiation physics, radiation detection and measurement, radioactive decontamination, and the effects of radiation on people and the environment, among other technical topics. The programme provides the official qualifications and certifications to all workers involved in different areas of nuclear and radiation emergency response and management in the UAE.
“Based on this new qualification scheme, the UAE will have a qualified cadre to support the country's nuclear emergency preparedness and response system. Building and strengthening the capacity of the first responders is a key element to ensure the timely response to any emergency to ensure the protection of the people and the community," said FANR's Director of Radiation Safety, Aayda Al Shehhi.
The training is the latest of FANR's activities to ensure the highest standards of radiation protection in the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) lauded the UAE for having a robust radiation safety infrastructure during the agency's Extended Occupational Radiation Protection Appraisal Service (ORPAS) Follow-Up mission in 2022.
The UAE has a robust radiation safety infrastructure, which was developed by the Radiation Protection Committee. The RPC, set up in 2011 and chaired by FANR, provides advice to the UAE Government on matters related to radiation protection and is composed of 16 national entities.
Recently, FANR's Radiation Safety Director was elected as the Vice Chair of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, in which role the authority will support the committee in the implementation of its programme.
Since its setup in 2009, FANR has developed, issued and revised regulations for radiation protection, cooperated with national and international partners, and developed national capacities in radiation protection, in line with its mandate to protect the public and environment.