Connecticut Department of Public Health Keeping Connecticut Healthy
Sylvia Reeves Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Radiological Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Management Program Specialist
Implementation of the
Radiation Professional Volunteer Program
(RPVP)
In the State of Connecticut
1
•Supported through funds awarded by:
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
(CRCPD) 2013-present
*Strengthening State and Local Population Monitoring
Surge Capacity for Radiation Emergencies through
Recruitment, Training and Management of Radiation
Professional Volunteers
•We call it the Radiation Professional Volunteer
Program (RPVP) for short
2
*Establish the CT-RPVP Steering Committee
*Develop RPV recruitment materials
*Identify RPV positions and related
qualifications
*Develop the contents of the online
(didactic) course and instructor-led class
*Configure online course content for
publishing on the LMS server which hosts
the course
*Develop and launched the CT-RPVP website
*Recruit volunteers to pilot the CT-RPVP
Training Program
3
*Recruiting individuals
*Keeping volunteers engaged
*Staff turnover at DPH and DEMHS
*Activations and connecting this
specialized volunteer base to other
established ones
*Visually identifying credentialed
volunteers
4
*Brochure and marketing
materials for the program
5
*2014-2016 materials
6
*2017 Materials
7
*Developed by
marketing
company
*Emphasis about
helping people
*Primary
functions
highlighted
*Logo/branding
design
8
GOALS and FOCUS
*Multi-step training process that engages volunteers
*Adult learners – reduce lecture, increase hands-on
1. Complete the online course
2. Attend hands-on training with DEEP, DEMHS and
Dominion Energy/Millstone staff
*Use of survey meters
*Issuing dosimetry
*Set-up of portal monitors
3. Participate in DEMHS REP exercises and put your
skills to use
(Annual Cycle) 9
*Internal staffing changes at each
of the state agencies
*DESPP/DEMHS
*DPH/OPHPR
*DEEP/Radiation
*An opportunity to reassess,
refresh, and re-evaluate!
10
*Who are RPVs?
• ESF8 (Public Health) asset
•Medical Reserve Corps specialized
members or Volunteer Health
Professionals
–activation process needs to be
refined
*How do we engage them to
participate in exercises and real
world events?
11
12
13
14
Recruitment increased:
*2013-2014: Nine (9) individuals trained
*2015-2016: Twenty-one (21) registrants
*2017-present: Forty (40+) registrants
Greater collaboration and coordination
among state agencies
Positive feedback from HCRC host town
15
Improvement Plan:
*RPVs Notification
- Activation through established systems that provide
liability and workers compensation coverage
*Training and Unit Integration
- development of Job Action Sheets
- deployment and organizational communications
*RPV Engagement
- get more volunteers for exercises/real world events
16
Connecticut Department of Public Health Keeping Connecticut Healthy
Sylvia Reeves Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Radiological Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Management Program Specialist
QUESTIONS ?
17