Emergency Response

Integrating R&D, Operations and Training to Reduce Threats

The nuclear threat reduction (NTR) mission to assess and respond to the evolving nuclear threat in an increasingly destabilized world is of critical importance. Recent global events have expanded nuclear threat scenario complexity resulting in an increased operational tempo.

To prevent, counter and respond to the growing diversity of nuclear threats, LLNL actively engages with our partners to deliver efficient, accurate and agile capability and tools per recent presidential directives. Sustainment and enhancement of national response assets demands effective integration of research and development (R&D) innovations into workforce development and training to support intelligence-informed assessments and operations with quantified confidence.

Delivering Solutions

LLNL’s expertise in cross-disciplinary, team-based approaches to fundamental science, code development, modeling and simulation, advanced manufacturing, data science and testing is uniquely suited to deliver impactful solutions for material security, emergency response and nuclear threat assessment.

LLNL leads the implementation of advanced computational techniques to nuclear threat response missions including the use of augmented reality, artificial intelligence and data science. LLNL’s enduring nuclear materials and design expertise underpins state-of-the-art training aid development, subject matter expert instruction and hands-on training and demonstrations with mission partners in support of complex threat assessments and nuclear-incident-response missions.

Technical Support for Nuclear
and Radiological Emergencies

LLNL is a member of the joint Department of Energy, Department of Defense and Department of Justice multi-mission Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST).

Scientists, engineers, emergency managers and technicians staff our NEST incident response teams. On call 24/7, these teams are trained to support the U.S. government response to radiological and nuclear emergencies by providing technical expertise and assessments.

We provide training and support through every stage of nuclear or radiological incidents and develop our nation’s capabilities to recognize, understand and address these threats.

Responder Deployment

LLNL deploys expert teams to respond to nuclear or radiological incidents. Such events may include searching for and rendering safe improvised devices and materials, taking radiation measurements, carrying out nuclear forensic activities or consequence management to protect lives, property and the environment following an incident.

Teams are on-call 24/7 and provide technical support to federal, state and local responders.

Capability Development

Laboratory researchers continue to expand the nation’s emergency-response capabilities to recognize, understand and address nuclear and radiological threats.

LLNL recently created an immersive training experience, Constellation, which simulates high-radiation-dose events without harming trainees. This new technology models radiation from an improvised nuclear device and focuses on pre-detonation scenarios where responders work to prevent a nuclear device from producing a potential nuclear explosion.

We are also developing next-generation instrumentation, software and physics models for all-device configurations and environments.

Nuclear Threat Reduction

Nuclear Threat Reduction