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Nuclear Power Plant Emergencies
 
NUCLEAR EMERGENCIES:
    

All nuclear power plants, their fuel, and their waste is closely monitored and regulated by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In the unlikely event of an emergency, multiple safety devices are in place within in the containment structure. If a natural disaster or other emergency occurs causing damage to the nuclear power plant, the control rods are designed to immediately drop the fuel rods - either through gravity or by means of hydraulics -into coolant to quickly shut down or "scram" the reactor.


HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR NUCLEAR EMERGENCIES

If you live within a radius of 10 miles from a nuclear power plant, you should receive emergency information materials on an annual basis. The information generally contains educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for the handicapped, contact information, etc. To see an example of information provided by the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), click HERE.


HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?

If you reside within the 10 mile radius of a nuclear power plant, the public is immediately notified of an emergency at the facility through an Alert and Notification System (ANS). It is activated within approximately 15 minutes of the declared emergency by the responsible local or State government agencies in need. This system typically uses sirens, tone-alert radios, route alerting, or a combination of these systems.

Outside of this system, there is also the Emergency Alert System (EAS) regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The EAS provides updated information regarding all emergencies by way of broadcast television, radio, and by telephone.