Laboratory sponsors Safety and Security Day June 26

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206 (03-082)
Contact: Fran Talley, flt@lanl.gov, (505) 667-5225

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., June 20, 2003 -- Los Alamos National Laboratory and Los Alamos County are sponsoring the fifth annual "Community Safety and Security Day" from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 at Ashley Pond in downtown Los Alamos. The event is free and open to the public.

Los Alamos County is a co-sponsor this year, together with the Laboratory's Integrated Safety Management Program Office, and Los Alamos' Security and Safeguards and Health, Safety and Radiation Protection divisions.

"The Laboratory is pleased to be able to collaborate with the county," said Hillard Howard, program manager for Integrated Safety Management. "We have always shared a strong commitment to public safety and security. That mutual commitment is demonstrated in this year's event."

Max Baker, Los Alamos' interim county administrator, agreed. "This is the first time in several years that we've co-sponsored an event of this size and magnitude with the Laboratory and we're excited to be a part of their plans," Baker said. "We have a lot in common in collaborating on this particular kind of event with [the Laboratory] -- issues like homeland security certainly aren't limited to the Lab just because they're situated across the bridge."

From air ambulances and other helicopters that will set down on the lawn at Ashley Pond, to robots and a "car show" of hybrid, energy-efficient vehicles, this year's event is designed to educate and entertain visitors of all ages, according to Howard. More than 100 health, safety, security and environmental exhibits from Laboratory, local, state and federal agencies representing five Northern New Mexico counties are expected to participate.

A 30-foot, cold-air "Smoky Bear" balloon will greet the public and radio station KRSN will broadcast live from the community safety event.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children to meet defensible space mascots "Reddy Squirrel," Los Alamos Fire Department's "Sparky the Fire Dog," and "GI Johnny" from the New Mexico Army National Guard.

The New Mexico State Police will offer child fingerprinting and distribute information about child safety and the national Amber Alert program for missing children.

HumVees, a popular attraction with children last year, will again be featured and youngsters may have their picture taken while inside a vehicle, looking out from the observation deck.

Blood pressure checks and tips on stress management, fire prevention and protection, and alcohol and drug prevention are planned. Bicycle and child car seat checks along with exhibits and information about pedestrian and hiking safety, pesticides and firearms also will be available.

During the day, pets from the Española Animal Shelter will be available for adoption, and there also will be educational exhibits of snakes, hawks, owls, bugs and other critters such as lizards, scorpions, spiders, salamanders and Gila monsters.

The Laboratory's Safeguards and Security Division will operate a metal detector, security camera, hand reader, and alarms in an interactive display for the public to access. "An incentive will be offered for anyone that can defeat our system," according to Adrian Richardson of Protection Technology Los Alamos, the Laboratory's protective force subcontract company.

Static displays of sensor technologies and other security hardware used in intrusion detection or access control systems throughout the Laboratory complex also will be on display.

Home and workplace electrical safety and fall protection demonstrations also are planned.

"Improving safety and security is an issue which affects us all," said Phil Thullen, Los Alamos' Health, Safety and Radiation Protection deputy division leader. "This has become a significant opportunity for Los Alamos and neighboring communities to participate in a positive safety and security experience with their families and coworkers.

"The Laboratory has a moral imperative to keep our work force safe," Thullen added. "This event has become an important vehicle to help us meet that commitment."

Los Alamos County's Baker said the county is looking for opportunities to partner with the Laboratory. "We have many new initiatives under way right now with the Laboratory in addition to the fire and rescue services that we share," said Baker. "We'll be joining the Laboratory in a new Joint Emergency Operations Center later this fall, and we're working with them on a comprehensive approach for other important initiatives like fuels thinning and modification, emergency management resources and a new joint dispatch center," Baker added.

For more information, contact Fran Talley of Los Alamos' Public Affairs Office at 667-5225 or write to flt@lan.gov by electronic mail.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, developing technical solutions to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.