The use of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials continues to increase worldwide in industry, medicine, agriculture, research, electrical power generation, and nuclear weaponry. The risk of terrorism using weapons of mass destruction or simple radiological devices also has increased, leading to heightened concerns. Radiation accidents occur as a consequence of errors in transportation ofradionuclides, use of radiation in medical diagnosis and therapy, industrial monitoring and sterilization procedures, and rarely, nuclear power generation. Compared to other industries, a small number of serious radiation accidents have occurred over the last six decades with recent cases in the Republic of Georgia, Peru, Japan, and Thailand. The medical, psychological, and political consequences of such accidents can be considerable. A number of programs designed to train medical responders in the techniques of radiation accident management have been developed and delivered in many countries. The low frequency of serious radiation accidents requires constant re-training, as skills are lost and medical staff turnover occurs. Not all of the training involves drills or exercises in which responders demonstrate learning or communication over the broad spectrum of medical response capabilities. Medical preparedness within the context of a total emergency response program is lacking in many parts of the world, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. This paper describes an effort to enhance medical preparedness in the context of a total program of international cooperation and conventions facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The paper concludes that novel application of telecommunications technology as part of a training activity in radiation accident preparedness can help address gaps in training in this field in which preparedness is essential but experience and practical field exercises are lacking.

This is a review of the facilities and programmes of the Finnish National Centre for Emergency Services in Kuopio, Finland. It includes the Emergency Services College that provides all of the training for emergency service workers in Finland and provides some services for the international community. There are needs for training by the medical community in Finland that relate both to skills and knowledge. Education and training focus on the demonstration of evidence-based competence. The facility includes a training ground for the provision of immediate emergency medical care, scene safety, extrication, industrial accidents, and water rescue. It is used for the training of paramedic students, nurses, medical students, firefighters, dispatch center staff, and officers. Computer-aided simulations are used to enhance the learning process. Plans are underway for adding tele-education and/or virtual-reality facilities. Close liaison is maintained with the University of Kuopio, Kuopio University Hospital, and with the Pohjois-Savo Polytechnic Institute.

Motivation is the art of getting people to do things or to do things more efficiently or quickly. Motivation of personnel involved in relief activities differs substantially from similar activities in the business sector as such persons may be: 1) part-time staff without a long-term commitment; 2) volunteers; 3) part of the affected population;Finnish National Training and/or 4) assigned from other organizations. Motivation entails goal-directed behaviors directed at satisfaction of individual needs.

This lesson addresses the hierarchical pyramid of motivation including: 1) physiological; 2) safety; 3) social; 4) esteem; and 5) self-actualization and how an individual's personality affects their level of motivation. In addition, personal goals play an important role in determining a persons behavior. Management programs that can be used to increase motivation are discussed including the use of re-wards for good performance. Lastly, methods for behavior modification are included.