CHAPTER 6: Interface of the TSC with the Emergency Response Organisation (ERO)

Interface of the TSC with the Emergency Response Organisation (ERO)

The ERO consists of personnel from the various departments within the NPP, often: operations, electrical, maintenance, engineering, radiological, first responders, logistics, and communication. For each of the persons in the ERO there should be a clear description of his/her function(s).

The duties and responsibilities of the ERO are described in the site Emergency Plan.

At all times, there should be a qualified person on the site who is capable and authorised to recognise and classify a radiological incident and initiate appropriate actions to protect the staff and, through communication with off-site organisations, the public against a radiological hazard.

The ERO should meet periodically to update the situation and to monitor the progress of measures taken. Discussions should be structured along the functions of the ERO members and conclusions kept visible (e.g. on a wall board) for everybody.

The ERO meeting location should be protected against radiation, external effects (such as flooding, seismic, high winds, etc.), loss of AC and DC power and have emergency communication equipment. The ERO facilities should remain operable and habitable at least long enough to allow transition to long-term measures (i.e. exit from SAMG), and should have the capacity and capability of sustaining emergency response for a minimum of 72 hours without offsite support. A second facility should be available with similar capability, possibly located off-site, should the ERO meeting location despite its protection become inhabitable.

The TSC should gather in a location equally protected as the ERO, with reliable data communication with the control room. Often, the TSC room is adjacent to the main control room. Data should be kept by electronic means and paper back-up in case of loss of power. The TSC is in frequent contact with the control room about the plant status, feasibility of proposed actions, and strategy options. In principle, there should be consensus between the TSC and control room. The head of the TSC should be in frequent contact with the operations ERO staff member to communicate recommendations and receive the decisions on the recommendations made.