Radiation detectionSandia’s radiation security team helps protect the public in large events

Richard Stump has been to five Super Bowls and has not seen a single pass, run or touchdown.

Stump works security — a very special kind of security — at large public events. He is a senior scientist on Sandia National Laboratories’ Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team. He, along with several other technical members from across the labs, make up Sandia’s RAP team, one of several Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) teams in nine U.S. regions.

As sentries scanning the crowd at these events, RAP provides technical expertise to respond to radiological or nuclear threats. In fact, members of Sandia’s RAP team supported this year’s Republican and Democratic national conventions.

Preventive detection of radiological or nuclear materials is just part of their job. Team members also are first responders for large and small accidents involving radiological material around the Southwest and train other first responders domestically and abroad.

Preventive detection operations at big events
Sandia Lab says that Sandia’s RAP team and partner teams at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, provide radiological detection support for large public events in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. They also help with major public events around the United States, such as Super Bowls or visits from the pope.

Preventive radiological and nuclear detection is using the right detector systems and processes to prevent someone from using radioactive material as a weapon to hurt people or damage property, said Stump. “The last thing you want to have happen is somebody getting close enough to a stadium and manage to contaminate a lot of people. People exposed to even the smallest amount of radioactive material would be panic-stricken, even if they aren’t hurt by the initial incident.”

RAP team members can scan the crowd incognito with hand-held radiation detectors or by circling the surrounding area with super-sensitive vehicle-mounted radiation detectors. Or they might sport nice logo hats and shirts, use traditional radiation detectors and openly advertise their presence, depending on the threat level and desires of the event organizers.

Other events supported by the Sandia RAP team in the past include the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, political conventions, presidential inaugurations and many major sporting events.

“Being able to provide that layer of security for these events, and provide a level of expertise in interpreting what’s going on,