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This panel will focus on the issues and provide recommendations as to whether we should increase or decrease Radiological Dispersion Devices (RDD) prevention funding. Many countries are spending significantly at the federal, state, local, and industry level in preventing, detecting, and training for RDD events. But terrorists have never successfully deployed a "dirty bomb" or intentionally caused an uncontrolled release of radioactivity at a nuclear facility. Why? Is our ability to control and detect radioactive materials moving into and around the country intimidating to terrorists? Are our countermeasures and security programs that good? Have the terrorists discovered that the health effects from a dirty bomb are disproportionately low for the level of effort required for the terrorists to be successful? Are the terrorists just too unsophisticated? Or is it just a matter of time before an RDD event occurs? Panelists include: Jerry Buyny, S.W.A.T. (former FBI); Dr. S.Y. Chen, Argonne National Lab; Gene Gwiazdowski, Director, Nuclear Security, Constellation Energy; Mark Smithberger, Consultant to DHS, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; Eric Rojo (Col. retired) Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.; Arthur Birch, ECSI International, Inc.; and Mark Wells, Battalion Chief, Sacramento Municipal Fire Department (USA).
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