Crisis and catastrophe management in the context of recently reported natural disasters (hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes): What imaging professionals need to know, especially in regard to nuclear material safeguarding

1265 Learning Objectives Plan for problems both likely and unlikely. This is a team effort. Imaging and Therapy Professionals must be able to assist in such critical situations. The best approach is prevention. A highly coordinated approach with multiple areas of redundancy is required to best cope with a crisis. Nuclear materials can be found in most all Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy Departments. In Radiation Therapy (and in some Pathology Departments), lethal amounts are often present. Both current and spent (waste) materials require special handling, such as supervised storage, use and disposal. Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans had regulated Nuclear Imaging and Therapeutic materials in multiple locations and floors of our complex. Flooding occurred during Hurricane Katrina on our first floor. Issues of breakage or leaking - contamination - had to be addressed during our recovery and rebuilding phase. Adding to our problems, many of the recovery workers had little training or knowledge in handling nuclear materials. Other Hospitals have faced similar or worse issues in recent years. Some problems could have been prevented with a better pre-disaster plan. The Northeast US has also learned this after Hurricane Sandy. Planning is done both to prepare for suspect future events and to provide a team approach for optimal outcome when the unexpected occurs. Planning is never a 1 time event. Plan what to do if the structural integrity of your building is compromised by natural or man made event. Serious consequences of unshielded nuclear materials can be avoided. Special consideration must be given to recovery workers who might be insufficiently trained in handling nuclear materials, especially for therapy sources and agents. Planning is required to ensure that all nuclear materials remain safe and shielded during a catastrophe. Unsealed and unshielded sources can be life threatening otherwise.