Home >
REMAT, the Radiation Emergency Medical Assistance Team, is organized, first in the World
--For quicker response to overseas nuclear accidents--
[Overview]
NIRS has formed the Radiation Emergency Medical Assistance Team (REMAT) to support primary medical care when exposure to radiation or radioactive material contamination incident/accident occurs overseas. The team kicked off the operation on January of this year. The world sees very few teams like REMAT, the first such team in Asia, which is capable of providing support in the area of radiation emergency medicine. With this team in place, NIRS is now able to conduct international support operations that actively utilize the organization's human and physical resources in such medical field.
The team consists of physicians who specialize in radiation emergency medicine and experts of radiation dosimetry. The team, equipped with advanced and highly portable radiation measuring instruments and special medications for contamination incidents, has newly developed satellite communication system capable of analyzing radiation measuring data in real time that enables quick estimation of exposure dose in cooperation with the support team in Japan.
At the future occurrence of a nuclear disaster, NIRS is now ready to immediately dispatch this team, expected to serve in the event of an accident, upon request by the government of the nation affected or by international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
[Background and Reason for the Formation]
When we think of radiation, images of nuclear power plants may come to mind. But in this day and age radiation plays an integral part in our daily lives. It is frequently used in medical, industrial and agricultural fields. However, once an accident involving radiation occurs, a great deal of fear is felt not only by those exposed, but by everyone in the vicinity as well. In accidents like these, the tasks of estimating exposure doses while swiftly identifying the radionuclide contamination, providing appropriate medical treatment such as the administration of decontamination agents, and transmitting accurate information are crucial. With plenty of experience and specialized personnel in this field, NIRS is Japan's premiere organization for radiation emergency medicine. The organization has a track record, in response to requests for support, of dispatching specialists to accidents involving radiation not only in Japan, but overseas as well. However, its medical support operations for radiation exposure fell short of ideal as its efforts to date were primarily on a personal level and its radiation measuring instruments and other equipment were not sufficient for overseas operations.
NIRS has fine-tuned its internal standards for overseas operations, and newly organized the REMAT that enables organizational activities spanning from the acceptance of requests for aid to the pullout at the close of operations. NIRS has also reinforced its equipment, introducing compact measuring instruments suitable for overseas support operations, and a Japan-based system to support analysis of data sent from anywhere in the world.
Many nuclear power plant construction plans are currently in the works in Asian nations, although it will still take time for those nations to establish up response systems to emergency. As a developed nation with nuclear safety, it is Japan's duty to contribute safety and security to its fellow Asians, regardless of borders and boundaries.
In the event of a radiation incident/accident, REMAT is expected to contribute greatly from the standpoint of Japan's cooperation toward an international society.
[Organization & Structure]
Organized under the president of NIRS, REMAT is primarily comprised of personnel who provides radiation emergency medicine and assesses exposure dose. Team members carry out their assignment under the structure below.
REMAT will be dispatched when requested to by local authorities, offering support for primary care in accidents involving radiation exposure. A dispatch is on the precondition that NIRS issues the command, and accident compensation is handled by NIRS. The number and composition of team members sent to accident sites will vary depending on the size and nature of the accident, but will generally range from 5 to 10 people. When an accident occurs and an emergency arises, members to be dispatched will be chosen from a list of members who have been selected in advance.
When sent overseas, REMAT will work together with IAEA and other organizations, providing supplementary support. Domestic accidents will be handled according to the existing structure, but NIRS hopes to also use the REMAT framework to swiftly respond to accidents.
1) Headquarters
Manages all REMAT activities.
2) Dispatch Team
Site leader: Supervises site.
Medical staffs for radiation emergency: Administers first aid, practices triage and provides medical advice.
Experts of radiation dosimetry: Takes measurements, collects samples for analysis, and provides simple analysis/appraisal & advice.
Radiation protection personnel: Manages radiation exposure/contamination at the site.
Personnel for liaison and coordination: Delivers materials/equipment, sets up work site, gathers and transmits information.
3) Support Team
Medical staffs: Takes in and treats victims of radiation exposure and contamination.
Dosimetry staffs: Analyzes details and assesses exposure doses.
4) Office
Handles office functions relating to administration and planning.