What Do I Do in a Radiological Emergency?
Nuclear Power Plant Event
If you live within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear power plant involved in a radiological emergency, you may receive one or a combination of the following alerts to warn you of the emergency: hear an outdoor siren, hear an indoor tone-alert on your radio, receive a route alert (the "Paul Revere" method), or a message from a geographic area public safety reverse dial warning system (i.e., REVERSE 911®).
If you get such a warning, tune your radio or television to the Emergency Alert System station for your area. The EAS station for your area is identified in the emergency preparedness information you receive annually. Follow the instructions you receive from this station. Your instructions may include directions for evacuating or for remaining in place (called sheltering) to reduce any possible exposure to radiation.
Your instructions may include directions for evacuating or for remaining where you are (called sheltering in place) to reduce any possible exposure to radiation.
Remember, in the unlikely event of a nuclear power plant accident, follow the direction of your State or local government.
Dirty Bomb Event
If a dirty bomb (radiological dispersal device) that combines a conventional explosive (such as dynamite) with a radioactive material explodes near you, you should take the following steps:
• Move away from the immediate area -- at least several blocks from the explosion -- and go indoors. This will reduce exposure to any radioactive airborne dust.
• Turn on local radio stations or TV channels for advisories from emergency response and health authorities.
• Remove your clothes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Your contaminated clothing can be tested for radiation exposure.
• Take a shower to wash off dust and dirt. This will reduce total radiation exposure, if the explosive device contained radioactive material.
• If radioactive material was released, local news broadcasts will advise you where to report for radiation monitoring and tests to determine whether you were exposed and what steps to take to protect your health.
What Can I Do To Prepare for a Radiological Emergency?
If you live within a radius of approximately 10 miles from a nuclear power plant, you will receive materials annually regarding the unlikely event of a nuclear power plant radiological emergency. Read the materials carefully and store them in a readily available location. NRC and other emergency management organizations work together to keep the public informed about such an unlikely event.
Emergency Information Materials for the Public
Residents within a radius of approximately 10 miles from a nuclear power plant receive emergency information materials annually. This information is commonly distributed via phone books, calendars, brochures, utility bills, and so forth. These materials contain educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for the handicapped, and contacts for additional information. If you, or someone you know, would need assistance during an emergency, contact your local emergency management agency. Become familiar with this information and store it where you can easily retrieve it if needed.
Alert and Notification System
A prompt Alert and Notification System (ANS) is in place to notify the public within a 10 mile radius of a nuclear power plant. This system will be activated within approximately 15 minutes of a decision by the responsible local or State government agencies of a need to take protective actions. This system typically uses sirens, tone-alert radios, route alerting (the "Paul Revere" method), or a combination of these methods. If you receive an alert, tune your radio or television to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station identified in your emergency information materials. The EAS stations will provide information and emergency instructions for you to follow. Citizens living near a nuclear power plant receive emergency information annually on how they will be notified of a problem at a facility and what actions to take.
Federal, State, and Local Responsibilities
The Three Mile Island (TMI) accident in 1979 revealed that better coordination between nuclear power plant operators and Federal, State and local government emergency response organizations was needed. Following the accident, the NRC's emergency preparedness regulations were changed [ 10 CFR 50.33(g) and 50.54(s) ] to require each nuclear power plant operator to submit the radiological emergency response plans of State and local governments that are within the 10-mile plume exposure pathway Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) , as well as the plans of State governments within the 50-mile ingestion pathway EPZs.
Federal
The roles and responsibilities of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) with regard to emergency preparedness are found in their respective regulations and in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), June 17, 1993 (58 FR 47996) between the two agencies relating to nuclear power plant emergency preparedness.
NRC Roles and Responsibilities:
• Evaluate if nuclear power plant emergency plans are adequate to protect public health and safety.
• Evaluate if nuclear power plant emergency plans can be used by emergency response personnel and ensure the plans provide for sufficient resources and equipment during an emergency.
• Review FEMA evaluations of offsite emergency preparedness.
• Make decisions on the overall state of emergency preparedness, such as issuing of nuclear power plant operating licenses or taking enforcement actions (e.g., violations, civil penalties, orders, or shutdown of operating reactors).
• Recognize FEMA as the federal interface with State and local governments with regard to emergency preparedness for nuclear power plants. NRC provides assistance in offsite preparedness through its membership on the Regional Assistance Committees (RAC), which is coordinated by FEMA.
DHS Roles and Responsibilities:
• Evaluate if State and local emergency plans are adequate to protect public health and safety.
• Evaluate if State and local emergency plans can be used by emergency response personnel and provide for sufficient resources and equipment during an emergency.
• Evaluate the alert and notification system for nuclear power plants, including outdoor warning sirens, as applicable.
• Assume responsibility for emergency preparedness training of State and local officials as a supplement to State, local, and utility efforts.
• Oversee the development of the coordinated response of federal agencies to a nuclear power plant radiological emergency.
• Review the adequacy of emergency preparedness plans related to nuclear power plants, fuel facilities, and materials licensees as requested by the NRC.
Together, NRC and FEMA will determine the two-year evaluated emergency preparedness exercise requirements for nuclear power plant operators and State and local governments. In this manner, both onsite and offsite emergency preparedness capabilities are adequately evaluated. For a listing of the radiological emergency preparedness exercises the NRC will participate in, visit Emergency Exercise Schedule . For a listing of the two-year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-graded exercises, visit Biennial Exercise Schedule .
