From May 19 to 23, the city of Rome hosted an outstanding training module on Radiological and Nuclear (RN) emergency preparedness, welcoming a distinguished group of international experts, professionals, and practitioners from various sectors including radiological protection, nuclear safety, public health, military operations, and emergency response. Designed for levels 1 and 2, the module delivered a comprehensive and immersive exploration of both theoretical foundations and practical applications essential for managing radiological and nuclear incidents.
A Distinguished Lineup of Lecturers
The module commenced on Monday under the guidance of Prof. Francesco d’Errico from the University of Pisa, who opened the session with a detailed introduction to the RN module. His lectures covered key scientific principles such as atomic and nuclear structures, radiation units, and the nature of radiological and nuclear threats. Later in the week, Prof. d’Errico also led in-depth discussions on the fundamentals of RN detection and identification, as well as the critical issue of security at nuclear power stations.
On Tuesday, the spotlight turned to Prof. Roberto Senesi of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, who presented foundational concepts and medical considerations in radiation protection. This was followed by Dr. Gian Marco Contessa of the Italian Health Institute (ISS), who offered a well-articulated assessment of radiation-related health risks and the role of public health in radiological emergencies.
In the afternoon, Dr. Christian Di Carlo (ISS) addressed the essential preparedness of healthcare facilities for CBRNe events, highlighting the regulatory context and the pivotal contributions of the scientific community in enhancing medical readiness for radiological crises. The day concluded with a compelling two-part session by Dr. Alessandro Rizzo from ENEA, titled “From Core to Cloud: Understanding Nuclear Weapons”, which delved into both the scientific fundamentals and broader strategic consequences associated with nuclear technologies.
The midweek sessions on Wednesday brought attention to the regulatory and industrial aspects of nuclear safety. Dr. Giovanni Calabresi and Dr. Carlo Rusconi of SOGIN spa offered insightful lectures on international nuclear security standards and compliance with national legislation. Dr. Rusconi also addressed the development and sustenance of a strong safety culture within nuclear plants—a key component in ensuring long-term operational integrity and public trust.
Wednesday continued with an engaging technical presentation by Dr. Erica Fanchini of CAEN sys, who led hands-on lectures and demonstrations on advanced detection technologies, including the SNIPER backpack system and Discovered handheld systems. These practical sessions enriched participants’ understanding of field-ready tools used in RN threat identification and assessment.
Concluding Wednesday’s program were Dr. Giuliano Mini and Dr. Gabriele Zorloni of ELSE NUCLEAR, who provided a dual focus on theory and practice through their presentation on portable radiological monitoring instruments, specifically tailored for emergency response scenarios. Their session offered participants a rare opportunity to gain tactile experience with advanced monitoring devices in simulated conditions.
Thursday began with an international perspective from Prof. Lorenzo Brualla of the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). He presented advanced triage methodologies for mass casualty events, including the use of Monte Carlo simulations to optimize decision-making processes under radiological exposure conditions.
Following this, Col. Carlo Ardanaz from the Spanish Army shared his extensive military expertise in CBRN defence. His lecture encompassed the capabilities of the Spanish armed forces, practical lessons from military deployments, and response strategies to potential nuclear detonations or radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), commonly known as dirty bombs.
Thursday’s technical lecture series concluded with Dr. Roberto Falcone from SOGIN, who led a two-part session focused on radiation protection during decommissioning processes and the management of radioactive waste. As Europe continues to phase out aging nuclear infrastructure, his insights underscored the necessity for effective and safe dismantling protocols and sustainable waste strategies.
Field Training and Institutional Collaboration
On Friday, the module culminated with an impactful field training session at the “Scuole Centrali Antincendi”, the central training facility of the Italian Firefighters Corps. Participants were immersed in real-world scenarios involving RN emergencies through simulations and demonstrations organized by Atomic Laboratories in close coordination with Italian Firefighter units.
The logistical and instructional success of this field component was made possible thanks to the leadership and dedication of Dr. Domenico De Bartolomeo, Dr. Marco Ghimenti, Dr. Maria Pannuti, and Dr. Pierpaolo Gentile. A special note of gratitude goes to Dr. Roberto Melmenuzzi and the numerous firefighter operators who brought exceptional professionalism and hands-on expertise to the training, ensuring its effectiveness and authenticity.
Conclusion
The Radiological and Nuclear module held in Rome not only strengthened technical skills and operational competencies among the participants, but also fostered meaningful international collaboration across academia, public institutions, military forces, and emergency services. By bridging scientific knowledge with real-world application, this initiative significantly enhanced collective preparedness for radiological and nuclear threats. Participants departed the Italian capital equipped with a deeper understanding, practical tools, and a strengthened global network committed to safeguarding communities against RN risks.
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