That unit should be augmented, the report urges, so the department is prepared for multiple chemical, biological or radiological incidents at once.

This area - which includes chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents --had long been the domain of the Fire Department.

At present, there is no one government agency that has taken the lead responding to nuclear or radiological incidents.

The unit was formed in 2002 as the Incident Response Regiment (IRR), they are deployed to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive incidents.

RadNet sample analyses and monitoring results provide baseline data on background levels of radiation in the environment and can detect increased radiation from radiological incidents.

NNSA's experts at its national laboratories maintain a high level of readiness to deploy resources capable of responding nuclear or radiological incidents worldwide.

By establishing well-planned, well-rehearsed, plans for coordinated response, we will also ensure a capability that can dramatically diminish the consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents.

"Areva has traveled more than one million kilometers for the past 15 years without a radiological incident," said Patrick Germain, an Areva spokesman.

These capabilities include dealing with mass casualties and fatalities, response to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, provision of essential services and warning and informing the public.

The course trains medical personnel to medically manage patients that have been exposed to hazardous materials including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.