Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10MEXICO362
2010-02-03 01:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:  

Nuclear Emergency Management Cooperation with Mexico CNSNS

Tags:  ENRG ECON TRGY KNNP IAEA ASEC MNUC PARM MX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4709
RR RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTRO
DE RUEHME #0362/01 0340128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030126Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
INFO ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/HQ EPA WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0319
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0001
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 000362 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/WMDT: LOWE/LEWIS/CURRY
STATE FOR ISN/NESS: BURKART/FLADEBOE/KENAGY
MISSION UNVIE VIENNA FOR: DOE THOMAS/NRC ASTWOOD
DOE FOR NNSA/ NA-1: D???AGOSTINO/BARKER/AOKI/ GLASER
DOE FOR NNSA/NA-40: KROL/PAVETTO/WILBER/BOWMAN
DOE FOR NNSA/ NA-46: MCCLELLAND/HEINRICH/ BUNTMAN/ HOLLERAN RIVERA/ ZAGAYTOVA
DOE PASS TO: NNSA/NA???20: BAKER/BLACK/LOONEY/ BIENIAWSKI/SHEELY/ROBINSON/ WHITNEY/HUIZENGA/GERRARD/ MUSTIN/MELAMED/CLARK
DOE PASS TO: CN: BOTELER/LAKIN
STATE PASS TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (DOANE)
STATE PASS TO DHS/DNDO (WHITROCK)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON TRGY KNNP IAEA ASEC MNUC PARM MX
SUBJECT: Nuclear Emergency Management Cooperation with Mexico CNSNS

SUMMARY

-------



UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 000362

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/WMDT: LOWE/LEWIS/CURRY
STATE FOR ISN/NESS: BURKART/FLADEBOE/KENAGY
MISSION UNVIE VIENNA FOR: DOE THOMAS/NRC ASTWOOD
DOE FOR NNSA/ NA-1: D???AGOSTINO/BARKER/AOKI/ GLASER
DOE FOR NNSA/NA-40: KROL/PAVETTO/WILBER/BOWMAN
DOE FOR NNSA/ NA-46: MCCLELLAND/HEINRICH/ BUNTMAN/ HOLLERAN RIVERA/ ZAGAYTOVA
DOE PASS TO: NNSA/NA???20: BAKER/BLACK/LOONEY/ BIENIAWSKI/SHEELY/ROBINSON/ WHITNEY/HUIZENGA/GERRARD/ MUSTIN/MELAMED/CLARK
DOE PASS TO: CN: BOTELER/LAKIN
STATE PASS TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (DOANE)
STATE PASS TO DHS/DNDO (WHITROCK)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON TRGY KNNP IAEA ASEC MNUC PARM MX
SUBJECT: Nuclear Emergency Management Cooperation with Mexico CNSNS

SUMMARY

--------------




1. (SBU) U.S Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) Office of International Emergency Management
and Cooperation (IEMC) met with Government of Mexico (GOM) National
Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) for continued
collaboration regarding enhancement and strengthening of the CNSNS
emergency management program. IEMC provided training on enhanced
radiation detection equipment; demonstrated DOE/NNSA
nuclear/radiological detection equipment; discussed
nuclear/radiological assistance that can be provided to CNSNS in
preparation for the 2011 Pan American Games; offered
train-the-trainer training and assistance for GOM first responders,
Customs, Border and Port personnel for detection, handling and
control of radiological material; offered radiation medical
training for doctors, nurses, hospital staff and EMS; and offered
assistance in enhancing CNSNS's emergency operation center. CNSNS
was receptive and appreciative of ongoing collaboration and planned
activities to strengthen GOM nuclear/radiological emergency
preparedness and response program.



BACKGROUND

--------------




2. (SBU) Under the trilateral (U.S. - Mexico - Canada) Security
Partnership and Prosperity (SPP) Agreement, IEMC has been
collaborating with CNSNS on nuclear/radiological emergency
preparedness and response since 2007. Collaboration to date has

included exchange of nuclear/radiological emergency preparedness
and response information and data, invitations to observe DOE/NNSA
exercises, and assistance with the IAEA-supported, GOM-hosted
CONVEX exercise at the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant in 2008.
The CONVEX exercise revealed that the GOM has plans, procedures and
programs for preparedness and response to a nuclear power plant
incident; however, the nuclear/radiological infrastructure
necessary for an effective GOM response is old and unreliable.
Additionally, GOM and CNSNS has minimal infrastructure to respond
to incidents other than those involving the nuclear power plant.
CNSNS has since been designated the lead GOM organization for the
technical preparedness and response to any nuclear or radiological
incident within Mexico.



IEMC COLLABORATION WITH CNSNS

--------------




3. (SBU) CNSNS requested IEMC assistance in enhancing and
strengthening their technical capabilities and infrastructure
necessary to ensure an effective response to any nuclear/
radiological incident. CNSNS specifically asked for information and
data on detection equipment to locate, analyze and monitor
nuclear/radiological incidents, including Major Public Event
management that will required for the Pan America Games scheduled
in Mexico in 2011. CNSNS also requested assistance in developing a
train-the-trainer program for first responders and radiation
medical response and assistance in enhancing the infrastructure
necessary for a response to any nuclear/radiological incident.




4. (SBU) In support of CNSNS' request, IEMC has provided CNSNS (the

MEXICO 00000362 002 OF 003


IAEA-designated competent Authority in Mexico) access to the
DOE/NNSA Office of Emergency Operation (OEC) radiological TRIAGE
system for spectral analysis, the International Exchange Program
(IXP) for atmospheric plume modeling, and radiation medical
reach-back capabilities. Additionally, two Spectral Advanced
Radiological Computer System (SPARCS) units were provided to CNSNS
to enable them to conduct in-depth detection and analysis of
nuclear/radiological material including a search capability. SPARCS
training was provided to 30 CNSNS personnel. Senior GOM
representatives were present during the initial briefing and
demonstration of the SPARCS equipment. The senior representatives
were CNSNS President, Dr. Juan Eibenschutz and Ministry of Energy
representatives Benjamin Contreras, Undersecretary, Luz Aurora
Ortiz, General Director, and Ana Christina Sanchez, Coordinator.
Both Dr. Eibenschutz and Mr. Contreras expressed their appreciation
to the U.S. Government and DOE/NNSA for the continued collaboration
and support.




5. (SBU) Briefings on OEO's International Radiological Assistance
Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER),International
Radiation Medical Emergency (I-MED) and Major Public Event (MPE)
training programs were provided and detailed discussion regarding
each program followed. CNSNS asked for assistance in developing a
train-the-trainer program for CNSNS to provide to appropriate GOM
responders. Additionally, CNSNS asked for more detailed discussion
regarding MPE assistance in preparation of the Pan Am Games and
asked if DOE/NNSA would be amenable to meeting with SCISEM, the GOM
organization the has the overall lead for the Pan Am Games to
explain how OEO sets up and monitors for nuclear/radiological
material for MPEs in the U.S.




6. (SBU) Briefings and discussion regarding Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) enhancements including Graphic Information System
(GIS) and network infrastructure involved ten CNSNS personnel.
Discussion focused on providing assistance to CNSNS in enhancing
their EOC with voice, video and data systems with network
capabilities to the nuclear power plant, other key GOM Ministries,
the IAEA, and the U.S. IEMC advised that assistance, including
connectivity to the unclassified OEO Emergency Communications
Network (ENC) could be provided.



CONCLUSION

--------------




7. (SBU) The collaboration and interaction with CNSNS were very
positive and resulted in concrete actions. CNSNS, the lead GOM
nuclear/radiological Technical Emergency Response organization, is
looking to strengthen their program and has asked DOE/NNSA for
assistance to ensure GOM nuclear/radiological emergency
preparedness and response programs are compatible. CNSNS intends to
use the I-RAPTER train-the-trainer program to develop a GOM Concept
of Operations for ensuring appropriate detection, reporting,
analysis and adjudication of any nuclear/radiological material
detected by GOM authorities.




8. (SBU) Dr. Eibenschutz and Under Secretary Contreras were very
appreciative of the assistance and support and for the SPARCS
units. Dr. Eibenschutz stated that the collaboration has produced
positive results that will improve GOM and CNSNS nuclear emergency
management program.

MEXICO 00000362 003 OF 003


NEXT STEPS

--------------




9. (SBU) CNSNS and IEMC have agreed to the following actions:



*IEMC will provide CNSNS with I-RAPTER and I-MED briefing material
to CNSNS by February 12, 2012.



*CNSNS will incorporate GOM requirements into the material and
provide translation.



*IEMC will assist CNSNS in developing a train-the-trainer program
and concept of operations for ensuring detection, reporting, and
analysis that is applicable to all response actions including major
public events such as the Pan Am Games.



*CNSNS will provide IEMC with their concept for enhancing the CNSNS
Emergency Operation Center and network infrastructure by February
26, 2010.



*IEMC will review the concept and ensure appropriate system support
and integration.



*OEO/IEMC will coordinate with CNSNS to brief SCISEM on OEO
procedures for radiological management of an MPE.



*IEMC will invite GOM officials as identified by CNSNS to an
International Search and Consequence Management Workshop the week
of May 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.



*Longer term actions discussed include conduct of a joint
CNSNS-DOE/NNSA nuclear/radiological emergency response exercise.




10. (U) IEMC personnel who participated in the meeting and training
were: Vincent McClelland, IEMC Director; Ann Heinrich, IEMC Deputy
Director; Steve Buntman, IEMC Project Manager; Mike Hornish,
DOE/Nevada/Remote Sensing Lab (RSL); Henry Adams, DOE/Nevada/RSL;
Kevin Marah, DOE/Nevada/RSL; Ben Sher, DOE/Nevada/RSL; Mark
Breitinger, DOE/ORISE; and Rick Christensen DOE/IEMC.




11. (U) This cable was transmitted on behalf of the Department of
Energy and does not constitute a Mission Mexico product.
PASCUAL