McMaster to hold transportation radiological incident response exercise on November 16

McMaster University will test its response to a simulated radiological transportation accident on November 16th, 2023 at 44 Frid Street, Hamilton, ON.

The exercise will be performed in collaboration with the City of Hamilton’s emergency services and will involve a simulated accident scenario at McMaster Innovation Park’s 44 Frid Street location. The exercise is designed to drill McMaster Health Physics and McMaster Nuclear Reactor staff, McMaster Security Services, the Hamilton Fire Department, the Hamilton Paramedic Service, and the Police Department on their emergency response.

Although such an incident is highly unlikely, says Josip Zic, McMaster’s Health Physics Director, it is important to bring these parties together to ensure there is a mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities during an accident, if one were to occur.

“There is a long and proud tradition of safe nuclear research at McMaster University,” says Zic. “The McMaster Nuclear Reactor and the University’s nuclear research laboratories are world-class facilities that have served researchers, the medical community, students and industry since the 1950s. The University is responsible for radiological material, not only on campus, but also when it is being transported to or from campus on public roads. As a result, it’s important that we test and maintain our emergency response capabilities to ensure that we can support first responders in the unlikely event of an accident. This exercise provides an invaluable opportunity to work together in real-time.”

Set up for the exercise will start at 8:00 a.m. The exercise will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. During this time, emergency response vehicles and personnel may be seen at 44 Frid Street. Barriers will be set up around the exercise area and access to this area will be very limited.

McMaster’s nuclear facilities and laboratories provide a number of services to industry and researchers in Canada and around the world, while facilitating unique educational experiences for university and high school students throughout southern Ontario. The University and its partners also provide isotopes produced at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor for various purposes, including the treatment of prostate cancer in approximately 125 patients per day.

The Nuclear Research Building, with its High Level Laboratory Facility, houses researchers from the University, AtomVie Global Radiopharma, the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization, and Fusion Pharmaceuticals who perform cutting-edge medical isotope research, including the production of novel imaging and therapy agents for clinical trials.