Abstract
Objectives: Each of the nuclear power plants in the US is encircled by an Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ). Within each EPZ, government officials, utility professionals, emergency managers, and public health practitioners collectively conduct extensive planning, exercises, and outreach to better protect their communities in the event of a nuclear accident. Our objective was to conduct a cross-sectional study of off-site public health preparedness within EPZs to better understand the dynamics of nuclear preparedness and uncover lessons for all-hazards preparedness.
Methods: Using a qualitative, interview-based method, we consulted 120 county emergency managers, state health preparedness officers, state radiation health officials, and industry officials from 17 EPZs in ten different states.
Results: Interviewees reflected that EPZ emergency preparedness is generally robust, results from strong public-private partnership between nuclear plants and emergency management agencies, and enhances all-hazard preparedness. However, there exist a few areas which merit further study and improvement. These areas include cross-state coordination, digital public communication, and optimizing the level of public education within EPZs.
Conclusions: This first-of-its-kind study provides a cross-sectional snapshot of emergency preparedness in the 10-mile EPZ surrounding nuclear power plants.
Appendix 1. Interview Questions
Organizational
Describe your local organization for preparing and responding to a radiological emergency?
What positions/employees are responsible for planning and response?
Exercises
Why types of exercises are conducted within your EPZ?
How often are exercises conducted?
Who are the primary organizers of exercises?
How are exercises funded?
What parties are involved in exercises?
Public Education
What types of public education are conducted within your EPZ?
What mediums/mechanisms are used in public education (e.g., radio, TV, social media, etc.)?
How often does public outreach occur?
Is effectiveness of public education evaluated?
Messaging
Have pre-scripted pre- and post-event emergency communications been prepared?
Through what channels will communication take place?
Hospital Preparedness
In what ways are hospitals within your EPZ included in preparedness for a radiological emergency?
Are volunteers included in emergency planning?
Evacuation
Are evacuation routes predefined?
Are traffic controls and/or access controls incorporated into emergency evacuation plans?
Is shelter-in-place part of response planning?
KI
Is KI pre-distributed within your jurisdiction?
Is public education on KI conducted? Measured?
Jurisdictions
Are any other jurisdictions included in planning?
Do you have other counties or unaffected municipalities on standby for assistance?
Public Health
What, if any, interaction/coordination occurs with the state or county public health department?
Expansion
What are your thoughts about expanding the 10-mile EPZ?
Gaps, etc.
Is there anything you believe is missing from your EPZ that would facilitate better management?
How do you perceive variations in EPZs around the state/country?
Is there a particularly exemplary county/EPZ in PA? in the nation?
Do you notice any differences amongst the encompassed municipalities in their planning? Do they primarily follow the county’s lead?
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