Roland Fletcher:  

Life One of Roland Fletcher’s most important jobs is to protect Maryland’s citizens by using accurate information regarding public exposure to radiation. Fletcher, who supervises 26 people in the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Radiological Health Program (RHP), oversees two divisions: one for licensing and compliance of radioactive materials, the other registering and certifying X-ray-type machines. MDE has the authority to inspect, investigate and require corrective actions. Penalties may be assessed for those who do not comply with radiation protection requirements. The bulk of Fletcher’s crew is charged with making sure that physicians and research scientists using radiation on a regular basis use it properly. “We are proud of the efforts of our staff of health physicists,” said Fletcher. They assure that Marylanders are not exposed to unnecessary levels of radiation. We monitor and require that machines are operating at their best, and that radioactive materials are kept secure. Our radiological health specialists travel across Maryland. They work with health care specialists to assure that patients only receive those doses needed to diagnose or treat their medical problem. As a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, being Manager of the Maryland Radiation Regulatory Program was a perfect fit for Fletcher. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree from Morgan State and Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University, he acquired theoretical and practical experience in radiation effects. Fletcher honed his skills in detecting and identifying radiation sources from military live source instrument training while in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. As an Assistant Inspector General, he determined the readiness of troop units in their ability to use chemical and radiological detection and protection equipment. The Radiological Health Program staff provide expertise in the event of an emergen...Expand for more