Reference Materials

This reading list contains our recommendations for US Federal planning documents, medical planning resources, decontamination resources, nuclear theft and smuggling and other books of interest.

RITN Recommended Reading List (PDF)

This guide provides Federal Coordinating Center (FCC) Directors, Coordinators, and Staff an educational resource to develop plans and to conduct FCC operations.

NDMS Federal Coordinating Center Guide - June 2010 (PDF)

There is quite a bit of published guidance regarding how to treat, but not much regarding how to rapidly estimate the intake of radioactive materials in a non-occupational setting where there are no routine air samplers, survey histories, or other normally accessible tools to help guide decisions. 

Dose Estimation Resources

This FAQ sheet answers questions related to nuclear power plant preparedness and the interaction of the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN).

Nuclear Power Plant FAQ (PDF)

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) partnered with RITN to identify and understand the gaps that exist in public health, health care, and radiation control regarding outreach, training, and programmatic activities, and in turn create recommendations to address identified gaps.

NACCHO/RITN Gap Analysis: Understanding the Shortfalls within Radiation Preparedness (PDF)

This guide is intended for planners, safety officers and supervisors of responders to assist in the preparation for health and safety management in the event of a successful improvised nuclear device (IND) event.

Health and Safety Planning Guide for Planners, Safety Officers, and Supervisors Following a Nuclear Detonation (PDF)

This document supports the “Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation” and was designed to provide responders with specific guidance and recommendations about the radiation risk associated with responding to an improvised nuclear device (IND) event, for them to protect themselves from the IND effects. It is intended to be part of preparation training with the “Health and Safety Planning Guide for Planners and Supervisors for Protecting First Responders Following A Nuclear Detonation”.

2016 Quick Reference Guide: Radiation Risk Information for Responders Following a Nuclear Detonation (PDF)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Manual to assist public officials in planning for emergency response to radiological incidents. This Manual provides radiological protection criteria for application to all incidents that would require consideration of protective actions, except for nuclear war.

PAG Manual: Protective Action Guides and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents (PDF)

This article presents the overall concepts and structure behind the Department of Health and Human Services Radiation Event Medical Response Plan.

Medical Response to a Radiologic/Nuclear Event: Integrated Plan From ASPR-DHHS (PDF)

For radiological/nuclear incidents, The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the Department of Health and Human Services developed and continue to refine detailed plans and tools for medical responders for a nuclear detonation and a radiological dispersal device, which also serve for any type of radiological/nuclear incident. The plans are based on the best available basic science with the goal of providing planners and responders with just-in-time information and tools.

Emergency Medical Preparedness for Radiological/Nuclear Incidents in the United States (Abstract)