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Training course on preparedness and response for nuclear or radiological emergencies
Course: October 5-9, 2009
Motivation & Scope
The main objective of the training course on Preparedness and Response for Nuclear or Radiological Emergencies is to provide fundamental knowledge and practical advice for all actors involved in emergency planning and response, e.g. health physicists, technical and radiological advisors, staff responsible for the overall emergency organisation and policy, such as civil protection officers and environmental protection officers. The course offers a comprehensive overview for those entering the domain or being interested in acquiring a general overview of nuclear and radiological emergency management in Europe. A basic knowledge of radiation protection is recommended.
The course covers the following major topics: principles of intervention; radiological evaluations; decision-aiding techniques; different aspects of planning and organisation with respect to off-site emergency response; health effects, economic consequences and psycho/social aspects. The European and international dimension of the subject is addressed through lectures on Community legislation and international data and information exchange. All accident phases will be treated, though emphasis lies on protective measures for the early phase.
A good balance is sought between lectures, demonstrations, group exercises and discussions. A table-top exercise simulating a nuclear accident will require the students to reflect upon and work out an effective emergency response based on information provided in the course.
The participants are encouraged to discuss the different aspects of nuclear emergency management as applied in their own country during the foreseen discussion fora.
An added value of the course is the interaction between participants from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Informal activities will be organised to enhance contacts between students and lecturers.
This course has been already organised several times in Mol and abroad and was very well evaluated by the participants. It has been revised in depth in the framework of the FP6 EURANOS Integrated Project. The current edition of the course is set up in the framework of developing a supranational training programme as formulated by the European platform on emergency and post-accident preparedness and response (www.eu-neris.net).
Main course topics
- Radiological emergencies
- Transfer pathways to the environment and exposure pathways
- Monitoring and data management strategies
- Principles of intervention
- Health aspects
- Interventions in the early phase
- Implementation of early countermeasures – Practical aspects
- Interventions in the late phase
- Countermeasures for contaminated food production systems
- Countermeasures for inhabited areas
- Decision support systems: RODOS
- International data and information exchange
- Economic, psychological, social and ethical aspects of intervention
- Emergency plan: organisation & requirements
- Public information and crisis communication
- Community legislation
- Rehabilitation to living conditions in contaminated territories
- Radiological emergencies
Lectures will be given by internationally recognised experts from the SCK•CEN and other European organisations.
Group activities will be organised in the form of workshops, to discuss and explore issues explained during the course lectures. A comprehensive table-top exercise simulating a nuclear accident will be organised, plunging students in the decision-making process and confronting them with the real difficulties.