OAKWOOD VILLAGE, Ohio– Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that it will provide real-world training in radiation detection and measurement to nuclear safety professionals within the exclusion zone surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The training, made possible through a partnership with the European Centre of Technological Safety (TESEC) in Kyiv, Ukraine and the Research and Production Enterprise Atom Komplex Plrylad in Kyiv, takes place May 27–June 2.

The training is designed to help nuclear safety professionals develop a better understanding of post-accident radiation monitoring techniques and decision-making to ensure that optimal protocols are in place for future nuclear contamination events. Participants will also learn from Chernobyl “Liquidators,” some of the first responders to help contain radiation from the exploded reactor #4 in April 1986.

“The lessons of Chernobyl are still very real to nuclear safety professionals, and our industry continues to learn from it,” said Kristopher Barnette with Thermo Fisher’s Radiation Measurement and Security Instruments business. “This onsite training is an exceptional opportunity for participants to experience the history of a real radiation contamination event and apply their skills, in the rare chance they are needed.”

The four-part training program includes a classroom portion, where participants learn about radiation contamination and measurement, hands-on instruction on proper use of protective clothing and equipment and onsite time within the Chernobyl exclusion zone working directly with radiation measurement instruments.

The training is capped off by individual evaluations where participants will learn how they can improve radiation monitoring and decision-making when they return home.

For more about Thermo Fisher Radiation Measurement and Security Instruments, please see https://www.thermoscientific.com/rmp.

Professionals interested in attending the program should contact Galyna Kazymyrova, the workshop executive director, at galina@akp.kiev.ua or by phone at 380-44-501-4907. Registration must be completed by April 1, 2012.

About the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Following the 1986 explosion at Chernobyl, the Soviet government closed off at 30 km/19 mile area, believed to contain the highest levels of radioactive contamination. This zone remains closed to the general public, even though radiation levels have decreased consistently since the Chernobyl meltdown. Today the zone is administered by the Ukrainian government, which provides access to training programs that educate individuals about the properties of radiation contamination