21st Century Essential NBC Reference Series: Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Procedures (NARP), Broken Arrow Atom Bomb and Faded Giant Incidents (Bioterrorism, . Destruction WMD, First Responder Ringbound)

This is the official Pentagon document describing the pre-planned procedures in the event of an accident or emergency involving a nuclear weapon or any nuclear or radiation incident involving a radiological release. The foreword states:

"This manual has been developed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under the authority of the Department of Defense. Its use is mandatory by all DoD components. This manual provides planners for Combatant Commanders, the Services, Response Task Force Commanders, and Initial Response Force (IRF) commanders with the information necessary to understand the overall response concept… and provides guidance in conducting site remediation activities following an accident involving a nuclear weapon in DOD custody or other types of radiological accidents or incidents. It assumes that a radiological release of some magnitude has occurred and that some remediation of the affected land is required… This manual will be widely disseminated and made available to all commanders and staff who are tasked to primarily respond to a nuclear weapon accident and, secondarily, to radiological accidents or incidents. It should serve as a guide for more detailed planning by response forces ! and will be used to improve training and exercise programs."

Contents include:

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms, Purpose, Policy, Initial Response Force, Initial Render Safe Procedures, Response Task Force, Radiological Assistance Program, Shipboard Accident Response, Shipboard Firefighting, Radiological Hazard and Safety Environmental Monitoring, Radiation Detection Equipment, Environmental Sampling, Monitoring and Measurement, Contamination Control, Non-Radiological Toxic Hazards, Weapon Recovery Operations, Search Techniques, Communications, Public Affairs Contingency News Releases, Logistics Support.

"During initial response, medical and firefighting responders should be given immediate and unrestricted access to the accident site It is DoD policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular installation or location. There are two exceptions to this policy. 1. The CRTF (Commander, Response Task Force) is required to confirm the presence of nuclear weapons or radioactive nuclear components in the interest of public safety if the public is, or may be, in danger of radiation exposure or other danger posed by the weapon. The OASD (PA) shall be advised of this confirmation as soon as possible. 2. The CRTF may confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons to reduce or prevent widespread public alarm. The OASD (PA) shall be advised before or, as soon as possible, after such notification Special DoD response teams are located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington, DC, and the Center for Health Promotion and Preventive medicine located in Landstuhl, Germany. The teams are specially trained to assist and furnish guidance to the CRTF or other responsible officials at an accident site and to local medical authorities concerning radiological health hazards and radiological exposure criteria."