RADIATION DETECTOR FOR THE ISRAELI FIRST RESPONDERS—METHODOLOGY OF SELECTION.

This article focuses on the development of a methodology by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) for selecting radiation detectors to be used by first responders at terror event scenes where radioactive materials may be involved. The selected detectors must reliably detect and quantify gamma radiation, be environmentally durable for field conditions, and support simple logistics such as easy battery replacement and minimal maintenance. After reviewing detector categories—electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs), personal radiation detectors (PRDs), and personal emergency radiation detectors (PERDs)—the EPD category was chosen as most suitable for Israeli first responders due to its balance of accuracy, ease of use, and operational practicality. A comprehensive set of 36 requirements was established and quantified by scoring to guide the evaluation of commercially available detectors, with intrinsic safety certification and battery availability identified as critical factors. Future work includes testing six candidate detector models at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center's Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory to inform procurement decisions.