Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
radioactive materials released from the accident, areas may have to be evacuated for
very long terms (many years) because of contamination. This may lead to long-term
sheltering/housing and mass feeding issues. Businesses may be affected and may
have to relocate operations in order to meet their customer demands. The local,
regional, and even national economy can also be affected depending on what is
located within the area(s) of contamination.
Planning and Preparation
Emergency Managers should understand as well as work with the public to under-
stand that alerts that can be issued to areas around nuclear power plants. These
alerts are as follows:
Notification of an Unusual Event—A small problem has occurred at the
plant. No radiation leak is expected. No action on your part will be necessary.
Alert—A small problem has occurred, and small amounts of radiation could
leak inside the plant. This will not affect you and no action is required.
Site Area Emergency—Area sirens may be sounded. Listen to your radio or
television for safety information.
General Emergency—Radiation could leak outside the plant and off the
plant site. The sirens will sound. Tune to your local radio or television station
for reports. Be prepared to follow instructions promptly.
Public safety officials may have a different alerting system, so it is important to
be aware of the public alerting system used in the community, or within the
organization.
Emergency Managers must work with their constituents and organizations to
build an understanding of protective actions that can be taken should a nuclear
power plant accident occur. These include sheltering in place or evacuating the area,
and taking action that will take into account
Time—Most radioactive materials lose their reactivity quickly.
Distance—The more distance between you and the source of the radiation,
the better. This could involve evacuation or remaining indoors to minimize
exposure.
Shielding—The more heavy, dense material between you and the source of
the radiation, the better.
As with other hazards, it is important that Emergency Managers also promote the
development of a disaster supplies kit that can sustain the individuals of a house-
hold, including pets, for a minimum of 72 hours. It is also important that family
disaster plans are developed so that family members know what actions to take
should a hazard threaten or affect their family.
