SRR Employees Recognized for Vital Roles as National Responders
July 19, 2009
Savannah River Remediation employees Aparajita Morrison (left) and Cynthia Lunsford were recognized recently by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration for their involvement in national security missions.
AIKEN, S.C. – Two Savannah River Remediation (SRR) employees were recognized recently by the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for their involvement in national security missions.
SRR employees Cynthia Lunsford and Aparajita Morrison were members of the DOE/NNSA Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team, which was established in the late 1950s to provide expertise in the evaluation and mitigation of incidents around the country involving nuclear and radiological materials. RAP team members are available upon request from other Federal agencies, state, tribal or local governments to assist with actual or perceived nuclear and radiological events to protect the public and environment.
In a letter of appreciation, Christina Edwards, Regional Response Coordinator for DOE Region 3, acknowledges Lunsford and Morrison for "their exceptional contributions and unwavering support that have helped the DOE execute its critical Emergency Response missions."
She wrote, "Both Cindy and Jita served in key positions on the Region 3 Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) and regional Aerial Measuring System (AMS) teams. I am proud to have had them as members of my teams. Their dedication, professionalism, and patriotism are truly remarkable."
Lunsford was an original member of the current Region 3 RAP team, which was established in 1994, and was later elevated to the position of Team Captain due to her outstanding leadership. As a Team Captain, she manages the RAP team response to incidents to determine the appropriate level of response and provide on-scene technical support to requestors. Morrison joined RAP when the NNSA expanded its mission following the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy. She served as Senior Team Scientist providing guidance on use of resources to evaluate and assess the actual or perceived consequences involving nuclear and or radiological hazards during crisis events.
"Both women were inaugural members of the regional AMS program and were instrumental in successfully launching the new mission in Region 3," Edwards noted. "Their participation in numerous emergency response and security operation missions has enabled the department to fulfill its responsibilities to the people of the United States."
Lunsford and Morrison recently resigned their volunteer positions as RAP team members citing increasing work and personal commitments. At the Savannah River Site, the women are part of the SRR Environmental, Safety, Health and Quality Department. Lunsford is the SRR Deputy Field Safety and Health Manager, and Morrison is the lead for the SRR Integrated Safety Management System.
"I, too, would like to congratulate these ladies for their dedicated service to the security of our nation," said Jim French, SRR President and Project Manager. "At SRR, they are awesome employees doing outstanding jobs. I expected nothing short of excellence from them as national responders. They certainly have lived up to all expectations."
SRS is owned by DOE. The SRS Liquid Waste contract is managed by SRR, a team of companies led by URS Corp. with partners Bechtel National, CH2M Hill and Babcock & Wilcox. Critical subcontractors for the contract are AREVA, Energy Solutions and URS Safety Management Solutions.
Point of Contact: Dean Campbell, Manager, Public Affairs dean.campbell@srs.gov