This paper describes the methodology and lessons learned from the development, design and execution of Exercise Follow On (EXFO), the second in a series of four large-scale radiological exercises sponsored by the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI). The exercise was designed to identify emergency response gaps from Canadian expert radiological responders. The key objectives were: coordinating multidisciplinary/interdepartmental teams, rendering an area radiologically safe and testing the capability of the National Biological Dosimetry Response Plan (NBDRP). Over thirty subject matter experts from Canadian federal government departments and agencies, private contractors and universities, comprised the exercise design, directing and safety staff of which Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Ottawa was the lead. The exercise was responder-driven, which ran in a spanning seven days and included field trials, medical response, the activation of the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan, simulated provincial and municipal government contacts and a media day. The exercise comprised five major scenarios; a simulated radiological dispersal device (which included a field portion and suspected radiologically exposed individuals), a simulated terrorist laboratory and apartment, a suspected terrorist vehicle with multiple radioactive sources. The playing field comprised over one hundred and thirty five square kilometers at DRDC Suffield. Sources used in the exercise included many types and sizes of sealed and unsealed sources. The response team was comprised of over thirty-five subject matter experts from six federal departments and agencies. The keys to the success of the development, design and execution of the exercise were identified as, the direct involvement of multiple government agencies and departments including the two Canadian nuclear regulatory bodies, experience and willingness of the exercise directing staff, the realism of the scenarios identification of the responders capabilities, the flexibility of the exercise time line and resources, detailed exercise protocols and safety procedures and the use of unsealed sources. Lessons learned were identified and will be implemented in future more complex CRTI exercises involving a greater number of responders. These lessons learned included the size and types of sources to be used, quantity of resources for the exercise directing and safety staff, end conditions of the scenarios and the methodology for choosing a design staff.
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