What many nuclear disasters have in common is a challenging post-accident scenario that requires expert personnel to perform hazardous rescue and cleanup work. Investigating the causes of a nuclear accident can be a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming job. Many investigations involve multiple agencies and hundreds of re- searchers, and may take years to complete. Investigators' findings, however, often prove to be well worth the effort since they can suggest important safety reforms.

From Firefighters to Doctors

Dozens of emergency workers were among the first to the scene of the Chernobyl accident. Firefighters climbed to the roof of the reactor building to battle multiple fires that threatened to spread to a nearby reactor. Helicopter pilots flew mission after mission, dumping tons of sand, lead, and firefighting chemicals on the blaze. While the initial violent explosion at Chernobyl killed two plant operators, acute radiation...