Counterproliferation: Safeguarding Against Radiological and Nuclear Threats

Counterproliferation: Safeguarding Against Radiological and Nuclear Threats

Proactive Strategies in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness 

In today’s complex global landscape, the threat of radiological and nuclear materials falling into the wrong hands remains a persistent concern. Effective counterproliferation is not just about preventing the illicit spread of these materials—it’s about ensuring the safety and security of communities worldwide. As nuclear threats evolve alongside technological advancements and shifting geopolitical realities, organizations must adopt robust, agile strategies to safeguard against both state and non-state actors. 

The Changing Face of Nuclear Threats 

Emerging technologies and new methods of proliferation have increased the risks associated with radiological and nuclear materials. Today’s adversaries are more resourceful, making continuous risk assessment and adaptive response measures essential. Organizations must stay ahead by regularly evaluating vulnerabilities, updating protocols, and investing in workforce training to address the dynamic nature of these threats. 

Strategic Policies and Practical Steps for Prevention 

Preventing the spread of nuclear materials requires a blend of strategic policies and operational best practices. Organizations should: 

  • Develop comprehensive compliance programs aligned with domestic and international regulations. 
  • Foster a culture of vigilance, encouraging all team members to recognize and report potential risks. 
  • Conduct regular threat assessments and scenario-based exercises to stay prepared for emerging challenges. 

Enlisting Expertise  

Navigating the regulatory landscape surrounding nuclear materials can be daunting. Its imperative to collaborate with the leading organizations for guidance through these challenges, offering tailored consulting, training, and exercise planning services. Through hands-on workshops and real-world scenario exercises, our experts empower teams to understand compliance requirements, strengthen detection and response capabilities, and build resilient operational cultures. 

Collaborative Approaches for Greater Impact 

Counterproliferation is most effective when organizations work together. A collaborative approach includes partnering with agencies like NNSA and NEST, as well as industry stakeholders, to share best practices and develop unified response frameworks. These partnerships have led to innovative solutions, setting new standards in readiness and response for radiological and nuclear incidents. 

Getting Started: Actionable Steps 

Organizations seeking to enhance their counterproliferation posture can begin by: 

  • Downloading detailed resources and brochures for up-to-date guidance on regulatory compliance.  
  • Engaging in joint training exercises to strengthen interagency coordination and test real-world response strategies. 

Conclusion 

The future of nuclear emergency response demands a proactive, collaborative approach. By prioritizing counterproliferation, investing in workforce readiness, and leveraging the expertise of partners like SummitET, organizations can help build a safer, more secure tomorrow. 

 

Nuclear emergency readiness partnership with SummitET and NEST

Setting the Standard: Training, Strategic Guidance and Partnerships in Nuclear Emergency Readiness

How SummitET and NEST Raise the Bar for Radiological and Nuclear Incident Preparedness.

SummitET Bridging the Gap podcast episode 17 Communicating about risk

Bridging the Gap Episode 17: Empathy and Expertise: Communicating About Radiation Risk

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Health Physicist Steve Sugarman speaks with host Mark Amann, a veteran strategic communicator, about the nuances and challenges of communicating about radiation in times of crisis.

Bridging the Gap Podcast: The Evolution and Capabilities of Previstar: A Journey Through Time

Bridging the Gap Episode 16: The Evolution and Capabilities of Previstar®: A Journey Through Time

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, SummitET experts speak with Himadri Banerjee, Previstar® CPS™ developer and SummitET CTO, about the history and capabilities of Previstar, a software that has played a pivotal role in emergency and incident management for over two decades.

Bridging the Gap Episode 15 Japan and U.S. Experts Talk Disaster Management

Bridging the Gap Episode 15: Japan and U.S. Experts Talk Disaster Management

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, SummitET had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation of disaster management experts from Japan. This visit, ahead of the National Hurricane Conference, provided a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and share experiences in disaster management and preparedness.

State of California, Office of Emergency Services

State of California, Office of Emergency Services

Background

The California WMD Summit was established to enhance the state’s readiness for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents through the Office of Emergency Services. This annual event aims to bring together key agencies and organizations to strengthen collaboration and improve multi-jurisdictional response capabilities.

Mission

The summit’s mission is to provide comprehensive WMD response training for the State of California and unite the four FBI offices through a complex, multi-city, multi-jurisdictional, all-hazard training exercise. By fostering interagency cooperation, the summit ensures that participants are well-prepared to address a range of potential threats and emergencies.

Solution

SummitET played a pivotal role in planning and executing the 2023 and 2024 WMD Summit. The team supported CalOES by developing and facilitating the Tabletop Exercise (TTX), coordinating closely with the FBI WMDD, and providing Observer/Controller and PIO/EOD SME support for the Full-Scale Exercise (FTX). This hands-on approach ensured that all participants received practical experience and expert guidance.

Result

The 2024 CalOES WMD Summit saw an impressive turnout, with 245 participants representing approximately 110 departments, agencies, organizations, and private companies.

SummitET has consistently supported the summit since 2022 and recently completed the 2025 event in Los Angeles, reflecting a strong ongoing partnership. The WMD Summit provides invaluable networking opportunities and fostered a deeper understanding among all stakeholders.

As one anonymous participant shared, “Overall, I thought this was an amazing exercise and experience. The networking and greater understanding of what others are doing to prepare for potential WMDs was invaluable!”

Conclusion

The California WMD Summit continues to set the standard for collaborative emergency preparedness. SummitET’s expertise and dedication have been integral to the event’s success, helping to ensure California’s agencies are equipped to respond effectively to WMD incidents. The sustained partnership and positive feedback demonstrate the lasting impact of this vital training initiative.

SummitET® to Showcase Previstar® and Share Capabilities at the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference

SummitET® to Showcase Previstar® and Share Capabilities at the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) is proud to announce its participation and contributions to the 2025 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC) which takes place in Washington DC, August 25-28, 2025. The NHSC serves as a premier event for professionals in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Management, offering a platform to explore new trends, tools, and resources that support their mission.

As a recognized leader in emergency preparedness and response solutions, SummitET will showcase its wide range of professional consulting services, which include technology-driven training, national-level response planning, workshops, scenario-based exercises, and WMD/CBRNE and natural disaster emergency response guidance. These offerings aim to reduce risks, mitigate disaster impacts, and enhance resilience across communities through both expertise and a new end-to-end emergency management and response system software, Previstar®.

conference booth with chairs, table, and audio equipment for a podcast recording

In addition to exhibiting at the event, SummitET will conduct live interviews at its booth for its preparedness podcast, “Bridging the Gap.” These interviews will delve into emerging practices in homeland security, providing insights into industry challenges, trends, and best practices.

To participate in the Podcast during the 2025 NHSC, fill out this form.

Participate in Our Podcast

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Don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube.

Join Our Panel Presentation

A highlight of SummitET’s industry expertise will be a presentation by John Duda, SummitET’s CEO, and Scott J. Glick, SummitET’s General Counsel and the DOJ’s former Director of Preparedness and Response in its National Security Division. Duda and Glick will participate in a panel entitled “Methods to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Tabletop Exercises” which will also include insight and analysis by former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. The panel will discuss current methodologies used to evaluate tabletop exercises (TTXs), as well as a new quantitative tool which can be used.

“Methods to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Tabletop Exercises”

Panelists:

John Duda, SummitET

Scott J. Glick, SummitET

Peter T. Gaynor, Bright Harbor

Emily Adams, Office of Radiological Security, NNSA

Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 1:15 pm EST

Operations-based exercises often utilize quantitative tools for evaluation, such as measuring response times. However, tabletop exercises, which are discussion-based, require more nuanced evaluation methods. Current approaches, such as the Likert scale, frequently focus on exercise delivery or offer only general conclusions, limiting their reliability.

This panel discussion will critically examine existing methodologies, including the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP), and highlight the need for new, cost-effective tools to more accurately measure the impact of TTXs on organizational preparedness. These advancements could pave the way for the establishment of an industry-standard evaluation system.

John Duda

John Duda

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Scott Glick VP and General Counsel

Scott Glick, JD

General Counsel

See the full Conference Agenda.

SummitET is excited to contribute its expertise to the 2025 NHSC and engage with industry professionals to advance the field of homeland security. By presenting innovative ideas and fostering meaningful discussions, SummitET reaffirms its commitment to building safer, more resilient communities. Join us in Washington DC to explore the future of emergency preparedness and response.

 

Ready to discuss opportunities with our experts?

Fill out the form below and we will reach out to schedule a meeting at our booth.

Meet Our Experts

Adam Montella, Senior Vice President

Adam Montella

Chief Operations Officer
Mark Amann Headshot

Mark Amann

Chief Products Officer
Ron Crane

Ron Crane

Associate Vice President | Senior SME, Exercises

SummitET News

SummitET Showcases Expertise at 2024 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC)

SummitET Showcases Expertise at 2024 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC)

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) experts are attending the 2024 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC) in Miami Beach, Florida from July 22 to 25. 

The NHSC brings together professionals in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Management to learn about emerging trends in homeland security and see the new equipment, technology, and resources available to support their mission.

SummitET is committed to bolstering the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) by addressing critical emergency management requirements. Drawing upon extensive global experience and specialized knowledge from public, private, and military sectors, SummitET delivers comprehensive exercise, training, and planning services. These services are specifically tailored to enhance preparedness in strategic communications, counterterrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the management of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials (CBRNE). 

National Homeland Security conference

The trainers and program management professionals at SummitET bring a wealth of practical expertise from real-world events and responses. Their diverse backgrounds encompass law enforcement, fire services/EMT, emergency management, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, strategic communications, and other specialized fields.

Conference attendees have the opportunity to engage with SummitET experts, discussing preparedness solutions for current and emerging threats. This includes exercises, training, and plan development with a focus on interagency coordination.

Visit Our Booth for Capabilities Demonstrations

Visit Booth #317 in the NHSC Exhibition Hall to meet SummitET experts for a brief session showcasing our training offerings. Experience a 5-10 minute demonstration on our training offerings, and stay to explore how our tailored training and exercises can benefit your team.

Radiation 101

Wednesday, July 24, 12:45 pm
Presenter: Angela Leek, PhD, CHP

Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Wednesday, July 24, 2:20 pm
Presenters: John Duda, Adam Montella, & Ron Crane  

You can also join us at the Networking Event on Tuesday night to participate in an interactive trivia game at our booth. Win exciting giveaways, including a 50″ TV and t-shirts featuring the SummitET tagline “Preparedness is not an accident®.”

See Our Preparedness Capabilities

Meet With Our Experts 

Schedule a time on this calendar to meet with our experts at SummitET Booth #317 in the Exhibition Hall.

Leave us a Message

Leave us a message and we’ll contact you before the conference to discuss how we can help you better prepare.

Experts in Attendance

John Duda

John Duda

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Adam Montella, Senior Vice President

Adam Montella

Executive Vice President

Angela Leek

Angela Leek, PhD, CHP

Director of Radiological Solutions & Regulatory Affairs

Ron Crane

Ron Crane

Program Manager | Director of Quality Assurance

SummitET News

SummitET Experts to Attend 2024 Joint Civil and DoD CBRN Symposium

SummitET Experts to Attend 2024 Joint Civil and DoD CBRN Symposium

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) experts are attending the 12th Annual Joint Civil and DoD CBRN Symposium in Washington D.C. March 13 – 14, 2024.

This year’s symposium will convene senior level experts from across the military, federal government, state and local responders, and academia to explore effective CBRN incident detection, protection, and recovery strategies amid a dynamic threat environment. It will also feature a panel that will highlight the utilization of emerging technologies and capabilities to bolster recovery and response in a CBRN-affected, densely populated urban environment.

SummitET subject matter experts can assist in areas of mission support, planning and policy, and crisis communications for CBRN threats and hazards. We specialize in the design, facilitation, and support of federal and state CBRNE and WMD training and exercises that test, validate, and improve incident prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities and address known emerging threats.

SummitET at 2024 Joint Civil & DoD CBRN Symposium

The real-life experience of our team members makes all the difference in the support we offer. Their expert backgrounds include biological threat response, bomb technician, CWMD coordinators and operations, CBRNE hazmat, detection, and sampling, FBI counterterrorism, emergency management, crisis communications, and much more.

Conference attendees can connect with SummitET experts to discuss our CBRNE preparedness solutions for current and emerging threats, including exercises, training, plan development, and war-gaming.

Learn more about our preparedness capabilities

Meet Our Experts at Our Booth

SummitET partner Chuck Stevens-marrone

Chuck Stevens-Marrone

Chief Projects Officer

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