Nuclear safety in the context of Major Public Events

Major public events, whether sporting, cultural, religious, national, or political, bring together large crowds and mobilize critical infrastructures and law enforcement. In this context, security can no longer be limited to the prevention of conventional acts of violence: it must now take into account the threat, however rare, of the malicious use of nuclear and other radioactive materials present in Dirty Bombs/RDDs, Radiological Exposure Devices (REDs) or Improvised Nuclear devices (INDs). Such a situation could have considerable human, environmental, and symbolic consequences (e.g., panic among the population, government intimidation, and radiological contamination).

Faced with these risks, the international community, under the impetus of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is encouraging countries to integrate nuclear security measures into their overall event security plans. This implies close coordination and interoperability among the various national authorities and stakeholders, the reinforcement of radiation detection capacities, the adaptation of response protocols, as well as increased awareness on the part of those working in the field. This approach aims to ensure that nuclear security is fully integrated into the planning and conduct of large-scale events.

In this dynamic, specialized industrial players play a key role in providing concrete technological solutions for front-line officers (e.g., law enforcement operating at land, sea, and air borders) and first responders (e.g., firefighters, civil defense, medical teams, police, etc.) to detect, locate, and identify nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control (MORC) that might be used during a major public event and consequently, preventing criminal and terrorist organizations, or even lone wolf actors, from conducting any malevolent act involving MORC.

Bertin Nuclear’ approach is based on a thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks, operational constraints, and interagency coordination mechanisms governing nuclear and radiological security. With this expertise, Bertin Nuclear is positioned as a partner capable of supporting all stakeholders—governments, security authorities, event organizers, law enforcement agencies—in the design and implementation of nuclear security strategies tailored to each event context.

Expertise at the service of tailor-made solutions

Beyond its mastery of IAEA standards and recommendations, Bertin Nuclear provides analysis and consulting services to define the most appropriate detection architecture for each event’s specific characteristics: type and scale, site configuration, flow of people and vehicles, and critical infrastructure to be protected. This approach ensures that the nuclear security measures deployed fit seamlessly into the overall security system for the event.

Proven and innovative technological solutions

To respond to identified operational use cases, Bertin Nuclear draws on a comprehensive portfolio of technological solutions that have been validated at numerous major international events. The integration of a radiological and nuclear detection architecture into the overall security control process at access points, pedestrian entrances, transit centers, and parking lots enables operational teams to carry out checks, secondary inspections, alarm assessments, and the identification of nuclear and radioactive materials, in accordance with established procedures and protocols aligned with those of the IAEA. For these missions, Bertin Nuclear deploys survey meters (SaphyRAD S), surface contamination detection instruments (MiniTRACE CSDF), personal dosimeters (Saphydose), and radiation portal monitors (SaphyGATE G, RCP, RCCL).

For outdoor sites or sites located near critical infrastructure, environmental radiation monitoring enables continuous measurement of gamma radiation in the air, soil, or water, improving situational awareness and operational management at the command and coordination level. The systems deployed (GammaTRACER XL2, ScintiTRACER XL2, SpectroTRACER) enable real-time monitoring and early warning in the event of a radiological anomaly.

In addition to these proven solutions, Bertin Nuclear also develops innovative technologies to meet emerging needs and specific configurations for certain events, drawing on its expertise.

Thanks to this integrated approach, Bertin Nuclear contributes to the effective implementation of IAEA recommendations by supporting authorities in strengthening their prevention, detection, and response capabilities, while ensuring the protection of the public and critical infrastructure during major public events.