The European Nuclear Security Training Centre (EUSECTRA) instructs front-line officers, trainers and experts on how to detect and respond to illicit trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive materials.
EUSECTRA offers hands-on training using a wide variety of radioactive and nuclear materials and a broad selection of equipment and measurement instruments.
Indoors, one of the training areas simulates airport conditions, equipped with a pedestrian portal monitor and an x-ray conveyor.
Activities
The European Nuclear Security Training Centre (EUSECTRA) was specifically established to address concerns of theft of radioactive materials that could then be associated with crime and acts of terrorism. These concerns, from the widespread use of radioactive materials for medical and industrial applications are acknowledged by the international community in numerous international commitments and resolutions.
The success of the fight against illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials necessitates the mobilization and interaction of different competent authorities such as police, customs, border guards, regulators, radiation protection and expert scientists.
Training program
Located at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, in Karlsruhe and Ispra, EUSECTRA aims to improve Member States capabilities to address the threats associated with illicit incidents involving nuclear or other radioactive materials by providing hands-on training using real nuclear materials to front line officers, their management, trainers and other experts in the field. Based on the unique combination of scientific expertise, specific technical infrastructure and availability of a wide range of nuclear materials, EUSECTRA complements national training efforts by providing realistic scenarios with real special nuclear material.
The training program offers a unique opportunity for trainees to see and experience actual materials and commodities, as EUSECTRA is one of the few places in the world where a wide range of samples of plutonium and uranium of different isotopic compositions can be used for training in detection, categorization and characterization.
Background info
The European Nuclear Security Training Centre
EUSECTRA Provisional Workshops & Trainings Planning 2024
Facility photos
You can view additional images of the European Nuclear Security Training Centre (EUSECTRA) facility at the JRC Digital Media Hub.