Collaboration With Law Enforcement Further Improves Safety at Paducah Site

Paducah Police Department Community Engagement Officer Blake Quinn conducts a briefing on the capabilities of the department's bomb squad robot during a recent demonstration at the Paducah Site.

PADUCAH, Ky. - The Paducah Site is continuing its commitment to safety and security by bolstering collaboration with local law enforcement.

A highlight of this partnership was the recent demonstration of the Paducah Police Department (PPD) bomb squad robot at the Paducah Site in coordination with the site's protective force and emergency management organizations.

The demonstration showcased the advanced technology and techniques local law enforcement uses in handling hazardous situations. Paducah Site personnel witnessed firsthand the capabilities of the robot, designed to safely inspect and neutralize potential explosive devices. The robot's ability to navigate complex environments, assess threats and perform delicate operations remotely is a significant asset in ensuring the safety of the public and first responders.

"The benefit of the mutual aid agreement is so both parties can understand what the other may need in the event of an emergency," Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Security Lead Mark Allen said.

Paducah Police Department Sgt. Matt Hopp negotiates the department's bomb squad robot on a staircase in the C-100 Administration Building at the Paducah Site during a joint training and demonstration with the site's protective force officers.

The demonstration not only highlighted the technical proficiency of the PPD, but also underscored the importance of interagency cooperation in maintaining the safety of the Paducah Site. By working closely with local law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management can ensure all necessary resources are available in the event of an emergency, providing an added layer of security for the site and the surrounding community.

"[The mutual aid] agreement in place presents a tremendous opportunity for DOE and the PPD," PPD Community Engagement Officer Blake Quinn said. "To have [PPD] resources available for DOE has a huge impact on public safety and the folks who work there. It also enhances our capabilities because we are presented with issues there we might not get outside the facility."

The Paducah Site's mutual aid agreement with the PPD is important to EM's mission at the site, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response to a wide range of potential incidents, from natural disasters to potential security threats, all while increasing the overall preparedness and resilience of the Paducah community.

"Through continued collaboration, resource sharing and joint training exercises like the bomb squad demonstration, DOE and PPD are better equipped to respond to any challenges that may arise," Allen added.

-Contributors: J.T. Crawford, Dylan Nichols