F A C T S H E E T

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EMERGENCY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Terms for DescribingNuclear Power Plant

Emergencies

Know the following terms and whatthey mean:

Notification of unusual event means aproblem has occurred at the plant, but noradiation leak is expected. No action byyou is necessary.

Alert means that small amounts ofradiation could leak inside the plant, butit will not affect the community. Noaction by you is necessary.

Site area emergency describes a moreserious problem. Small amounts ofradiation could leak from the plant. Areasirens may sound. Listen to your radio ortelevision for information.

General emergency refers to a seriousproblem. Radiation could leak outsidethe plant and off the plant site. Areasirens will sound. Listen to your radio ortelevision for instructions. Be prepared toevacuate or find shelter in your home.

Although construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated by the NuclearRegulatory Commission, accidents, though unlikely, are possible. The most immediate danger from an accident ata nuclear power plant is exposure to high levels of radiation.

Know these facts about anuclear power plant emergency.■ A nuclear power plant accidentwould not cause the same wide-spread destruction as a nuclearweapon.

■ Although radioactive materialscould be released in a cloud orplume, no fallout is produced toendanger people.

■ There may be a radiation hazardin the surrounding areas, dependingon the type of accident, amount ofradition released, and weatherfactors.

■ Radiation would be monitored byauthorities to determine potentialdanger and warn the public.

■ Local citizens would be evacu-ated or instructed on how to avoidradiation hazards.

Attend public informationmeetings.Local emergency managers andplant officials can provide infor-mation about radioactivity; safetyprecautions; and local, state,industry, and federal accidentemergency plans.

Ask about the hazards radiation maypose to your family. Young chil-dren, pregnant women, and theelderly may be affected more thanothers.

Ask where nuclear power plants,radioactive storage sites, andradioactive waste dumps arelocated.

Learn your community’s warningsystems.

Learn emergency plans forschools, day care centers, nursinghomes — anywhere familymembers might be.

Have disaster supplies on hand.• Flashlight and extra batteries• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries• First aid kit and manual• Emergency food and water• Nonelectric can opener• Essential medicines• Cash and credit cards• Sturdy shoes

Obtain information about officialevacuation routes from localofficials.

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION

Be prepared to evacuate orfind shelter in your home.

Develop an emergency commu-nication plan.In case family members areseparated from one another duringa disaster (a real possibility duringthe day when adults are at workand children are at school), have aplan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative orfriend to serve as the “familycontact.” After a disaster, it’soften easier to call long distance.Make sure everyone knows thename, address, and phone numberof the contact person.

Listen to a battery-operatedradio or television for officialinformation. Not all nuclearpower plant incidents result inthe release of radiation.

If advised to remain at home:■ Bring pets inside.

■ Close and lock windows anddoors.

■ Turn off air conditioning, vents,fans, and furnace.

■ Close fireplace dampers.

■ Go to the basement or otherunderground area.

■ Stay inside until authorities sayit is safe.

■ If you must go out, cover mouthand nose.

When coming in from outdoors:■ Shower and change clothingand shoes.

■ Put items worn outdoors in aplastic bag and seal it.

If advised to evacuate:■ Listen to a radio or televisionfor information on evacuationroutes, temporary shelters, andprocedures.

■ Minimize contamination inhouse.

■ Close and lock windows anddoors.

■ Turn off air conditioning, vents,fans and furnace.

■ Close fireplace dampers.

■ Take disaster supplies.

Remember your neighbors whomay require special assistance— infants, elderly people, andpeople with disabilities.

After the Event

When the immediate danger haspassed, avoid using foods from yourgarden or milk from cows or goatsuntil they can be inspected by localemergency officials. Remember thatcontamination can affect areas manymiles from the accident site.

September 1993

Three Ways to MinimizeRadiation Exposure

There are three ways to minimizeradiation exposure to your body:

Distance — The more distancebetween you and the source of theradiation, the less radiation you willreceive. In a serious nuclear accident,local officials will likely call for anevacuation, thereby increasing thedistance between you and the radiation.

Shielding — Like distance, the moreheavy, dense materials between youand the source of the radiation, thebetter. This is why local officials couldadvise you to remain indoors if aradiological accident occurs. In somecases, the walls in your home would besufficient shielding to protect you.

Time — Most radioactivity loses itsstrength fairly quickly. Limiting thetime spent near the source of radiationreduces the amount of radiation you willreceive. Following a radiologicalaccident, local authorities will monitorany release of radiation and determinewhen the threat has passed.

EmergencyResponse Plans

Federal, state, and local officials worktogether to develop emergency responseplans for nuclear power plants andsurrounding communities. These plansare tested through emergency exercisesthat can include small-scale evacuationdrills for public institutions such as schoolsand nursing homes.