Yesterday, DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) and U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York coordinated with law enforcement and other first responders from New York and New Jersey, to deploy nuclear detection equipment and personnel on the local waterways in the New York City-Newark metropolitan area. The purpose of this deployment was to screen vessels for potential illicit radiological and nuclear materials, train detection boat crews, as well as to test equipment and detection capabilities, as part of DNDO’s Securing the Cities (STC) Program.
State, local and tribal law enforcement and first responders are important partners in strengthening the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA). The STC program is designed to enhance the nation’s ability to detect and prevent a radiological or nuclear attack in cities facing the highest risk.
As part of the STC program, the New York City-Newark region conducts close to 50 such maritime deployments annually, which enables first responders to test and enhance their capabilities to detect and interdict radiological and nuclear material outside of regulatory control.
This operation provided an opportunity for DNDO to observe and take away many best practices and lessons learned, to further develop and strengthen the GNDA. We are committed to working together with our regional partners to conduct training and exercises to further enhance law enforcement and first responder organizations’ efforts to identify, prevent and respond to potential nuclear or radiological threats.