"The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) created the Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) in the 1950s to make DOE resources and expertise available to organizations responding to incidents involving radioactive materials. Management responsibilities and direction for the RAP are primarily contained in DOE Order 5530.3. RAP provides resources (trained personnel and equipment) to evaluate, assess, advise, and assist in the mitigation of actual or perceived radiation hazards and risks to workers, the public, and the environment. RAP is divided into eight geographical regions, each managed by a Regional Coordinating Office. Each region has one or more RAP response teams... Regional coordination is intended to provide a timely response capability and to foster a working relationship between DOE and the emergency response elements of other federal agencies, states, and tribes". (DOE, RAP Program Information, Accessed November 16, 2007)