Success Stories

ORAU Collaborates with UT, ACMT to Offer New Training Course

In an age when terrorist threats are a very real possibility, there has been increasing concern that many of the most likely threats will involve "agents of opportunity (AOO)" or materials that are readily available and can be used to incite fear and harm.

Understanding the concept of chemical and radiological AOO and their effect on civilian populations is important for medical personnel and public health officials responsible for emergency preparedness and response.

To address this training need, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and collaborated to offer an awareness-level course on emergency medical response to exposures from toxic chemical and radiological materials.

The two-day course familiarized healthcare providers and other medical and response personnel who might have a role in planning and preparing for an emergency response to toxic exposures.

The course was held on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus and provided an introduction to a variety of toxic syndromes and reviewed the medical and psychological consequences of exposures to a variety of materials. The course was also available via videoconference at additional UT campuses across the state.