Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site

Emergency preparedness and subject matter expertise on the medical management of radiation incidents

View Radiation Emergency Resources

In the event of a radiological emergency, medical professionals can find videos, references and job aids to assist in the management of individuals injured by ionizing radiation.

The Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) is a world-renowned, U.S. Department of Energy asset and a leader in emergency medical response to radiological/nuclear incidents. REAC/TS provides emergency response and subject matter expertise on the medical management of radiation incidents for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation. REAC/TS is located at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in Tennessee and is operated for DOE by ORAU.

24/7 response capability for advice and consultation on radiological emergencies

REAC/TS maintains a 24/7 national and international response capability and provides continuing medical education and outreach exercises. REAC/TS courses annually reach thousands of healthcare professionals, emergency responders and health physicists worldwide. Topics address the medical management of radiological/nuclear incidents, as well as decontamination techniques through instructional and hands-on education.

REAC/TS also operates a unique laboratory that helps DOE close a critical gap in our nation's ability to respond to a radiological or nuclear incident. The REAC/TS Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory utilizes the “gold standard” dicentric chromosome assay, a proven technique that can be used to help calculate the absorbed radiation dose in exposed individuals.

Learn more about REAC/TS's unique capabilities:

Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory technician prepares a sample for testing

Video Series: Dicentric Chromosome Assay

Dicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA) is the gold standard for estimating the absorbed dose in humans after occupational, incidental, and accidental exposures to ionizing radiation. The REAC/TS Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory (CBL) has created a series of instructional videos on DCA with a purpose of transferring the technique to academicians, clinical laboratorians, and medical professionals across our nation to enhance the DCA capability resources for an effective triage after large-scale radiological/nuclear incidents.

Watch the videos on the CBL page

Video Spotlight

What to do if you need to contact REAC/TS during an emergency?

If you might need to contact REAC/TS for assistance with a radiation exposure, please watch this video to know in advance what information will be helpful for us to address your questions and concerns.

Contact REAC/TS

If you need to contact REAC/TS for assistance with the medical management of those involved in a radiological/nuclear incident, please watch the video above "What to do if you need to contact REAC/TS during an emergency?" to know what information is helpful for us to address your questions and concerns.

General information 865-576-3131

General email reacts@orau.org

After-hours number 865-576-1005 (Ask for REAC/TS)