Local law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical services personnel recently met with West Valley Demonstration Project team members as part of an ongoing partnership to strengthen coordination and ensure employees are prepared to act quickly and safely in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Office of Environmental Management
September 22, 2026
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From left, West Valley Cleanup Alliance (WVCA) Radiation Support Manager Jonathan Nehl; FBI Buffalo Field Office Special Agent Aaron Allen; Cattaraugus County Deputy Sheriff Joe Yerpe; WVCA Jr. Radiation Engineer J.P. O’Connell; and WVCA Radiation Control Qualifications Manager Duane Gills pose for a photo after a West Valley Demonstration Project tour.
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. — Local law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical services personnel recently met with West Valley Demonstration Project team members as part of an ongoing partnership to strengthen coordination and ensure employees are prepared to act quickly and safely in the unlikely event of an emergency.
FBI Buffalo Field Office Special Agent Aaron Allen and Cattaraugus County Deputy Sheriff Joe Yerpe shared best practices and reviewed tools that support operations during an emergency.
Employees with the Radiation Training Department of U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management contractor West Valley Cleanup Alliance (WVCA) organized the visit to build strong working relationships, exchange operational expertise and confirm joint emergency response capabilities.
“We understand the importance and benefit of partnering with outside agencies that have additional experience, expertise and technology,” said Jennifer Dundas, assistant director of West Valley’s Office of Technical Services. “It benefits our employees and the site as well as the surrounding community.”
West Valley team members took the visitors on a site tour, presented a brief site history and held demonstrations of radiological monitoring equipment used onsite and offsite. They shared that radiation can’t be seen, smelled or felt; specialized equipment, strict procedures and ongoing training and certifications ensure hazards are identified early and managed correctly.
This past summer, Kevin Murray, WVCA’s senior emergency management specialist, hosted West Valley regional partners, including Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, West Valley Volunteer Hose Company, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Cattaraugus County Emergency Response Office, Mercy Flight, Erie County Medical Center and others. These agencies provide critical support if needed, and the West Valley visit helped familiarize them with the site layout, current work activities, safety protocols, emergency procedures and potential hazards.
“Together, these engagements reinforce a shared commitment to readiness and prevention — keeping workers safe, protecting neighboring communities and safeguarding the environment through strong partnerships, clear communication and coordinated response planning,” Dundas added.
-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere
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