Women in Nuclear - WiN Canada

By JENNIFER SCHLEICH KINCARDINE NEWS 

September 27, 2011

Young girls from the Port Elgin area had the lucky opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with a member of Bruce Power's Nuclear Response Team (NRT) during a session of GIRLS Science Club at the Bruce Power Visitor Centre Sept. 16.

Paula Turner explained her job, showed off her equipment and answered questions from the eager group. She may have been surprised to find the girls already knew plenty about her role at Bruce Power; a number of them were familiar with other members of the NRT and were happy to ask questions and share their knowledge.

To get a job like Turner's requires an investment in volunteer commitments and an affinity for social interactions with other people.

"They like to see volunteer work, like volunteering as a crossing guard. They want people who are people-oriented and will give up their time for others," she said. Bruce Power also looks for candidates with post-secondary education and life experiences.

It's once you get hired that the hard part begins, according to Turner. New members of the NRT have to undergo extensive training, fine-tuning their physical fitness, learning to use their equipment, and taking classes on managing difficult situations and dealing with difficult behaviours. She covered the kind of security regulations Bruce Power has in place to control entrance the site. "My mom is a bus driver, what about them?" asked

one of the curious campers. According to Turner the bus drivers park outside of the gate and organize the riders into different groups depending where they are headed on site. "Everyone gets onto their new bus. We come onto the bus and the driver shows us her I.D. and then we check everyone that is going on site. If anything or anyone is there who shouldn't be then it stays behind," said Turner.

When Turner asked if all the girls were going to get jobs at Bruce Power they replied with their dream careers, which included professional swimmer, veterinarian, interior designer, lawyer, financial planner and fashion designer.

"Well, can anyone here make sure to design me a lighter helmet and a nicer looking uniform," asked Turner.

The uniform an NRT officer wears is comprised of 50lbs of personal protective equipment (PPE) and weapons. Turner carries everything from a flashlight, boots and a walkie-talkie, to handcuffs, two guns, a helmet, vest, gloves and safety glasses.

"Go home and pick up your little brother or sister who weighs 50lbs, and then carry them around all day," she said in explanation of the weight.

When the girls commented on how hot and tired the uniform must be, Turner said, "These things are supposed to save my life. That's the importance." Her audience was also concerned for the safety of her arms and legs, which weren't protected by bullet-proof armour.

Turner's equipment was of greatest interest to the campers, who all put up their hands when she asked, "Who wants to be handcuffed?"

Her visit capped off a day of exploration in the science between CSI, with the girls embarking on a crime-scene adventure during the morning's camp. GIRLS Science Camp is run by members of Women in Nuclear -Bruce Chapter.