Collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and public safety entities is crucial to the government’s layered approach to security. To assist the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's (DNDO) state, local, and tribal partners with detecting and reporting radiological and nuclear threats, DNDO provides Mobile Detection Deployment Units (MDDUs).  MDDUs are national radiological and nuclear detection “surge” assets, designed to supplement first responders’ existing radiological and nuclear detection and reporting capabilities, especially in support of national and other special security events.

Each MDDU contains radiation detection equipment for approximately 40 emergency responders, housed in a mobile trailer package.  There are detection packages spread out across the United States, maintained through an agreement with DNDO by the Department of Energy Radiological Assistance Program. The equipment includes portable backpack radiation detection units, high and low-resolution radiation identification hand-held instruments, personal detection devices, and interoperable communications and tracking equipment. Each Mobile Detection Deployment Unit is accompanied by technical support staff to train personnel on the use of equipment and to help integrate these capabilities into existing operations.

For more information on MDDUs, please view the MDDU Fact Sheet.

Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial governments may request a unit by contacting DNDO at: DNDO_MDDU_Request@hq.dhs.gov.