Radiation incidents may be rare, but when they occur, the consequences need rapid coordination, clear roles, and confident decision making. At the 2026 Preparedness Summit in Baltimore, NACCHO hosted a half-day Radiation Workshop designed to strengthen local health department readiness through foundational knowledge, practical application, and peer-to-peer learning.
The interactive workshop attracted strong interest, with 40 pre-registered participants representing a range of public health roles and experience levels. The session combined essential instruction with walking through an example bioassay exercise done in New Jersey, helping participants to learn concepts and how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks and an overview of the day’s objectives from NACCHO Director of Preparedness Jerry Joseph, who emphasized the importance of local health departments preparedness to respond to radiological events, whether caused by accidents, natural disasters, or intentional acts.
The first session, Radiation 101 was led by Steve Huleatt, Manager for the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) at the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Connecticut. This portion provided participants with a clear introduction to radiation fundamentals. Participants who completed the session evaluation reported improved understanding and increased confidence in basic radiation concepts, which is an essential step toward making decisions during radiological incidents.
Secondly, the workshop turned to answer the critical question of roles and responsibilities across federal, state, and local partners. Jennifer Buzzell, Physical Scientist at CDC’s Division of Environmental Health Science, and Practice and Robert Goff, Emergency Preparedness Director at the Tennessee Department of Health, highlighted how coordination between partners at different levels function during a radiation response and where local health departments sit within the broader system of these responses.
The discussion was a standout for many attendees. Hearing directly from partners at different levels helped clarify expectations, communication pathways, and how decisions flow during a radiation incident, reducing uncertainty and reinforcing the value of collaboration.
Lastly, one of the most engaging portions of the day: the Bioassay Exercise Presentation, led by John Dowd, Division Head Public Health Preparedness and Health Education at Middlesex County Public Health Department of New Jersey, and Goff. This session introduced bioassay as a local public health capability, an unfamiliar concept for most of the attendees.
Rather than focusing solely on laboratory science, Dowd and Goff reframed bioassay as a coordination and planning function, emphasizing how local health departments can support screening, data management, and operational decision-making. Drawing on real-world examples, including experiences from an exercise in New Jersey, participants were able to visualize how bioassay activities could be integrated in their own jurisdictions and regional coordination structures.
The Radiation Workshop at the 2026 Preparedness Summit demonstrated key information sharing, collaboration, and practical applications that local public health professionals can use to build confidence in complex and unfamiliar areas of preparedness. By strengthening foundational knowledge and fostering meaningful connections, the session helped equip local health departments with tools they can use for their own preparedness plans and community reception center exercises.
Next Steps
Explore the Radiation Preparedness Resource Library for evidence-based tools and resources to support effective radiation emergency preparedness and response efforts at local health departments.
Apply to join the Radiation Workgroup by May 19. This dynamic group is focused on helping local health departments stay informed, prepared, and confident when it comes to radiological threats. The workgroup raises awareness of practical tools, trusted resources, and timely information; and plays a key role in reviewing and shaping NACCHO materials to ensure they reflect best practices and real-world needs in radiological preparedness.
