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EPA 520/1-81-002
REVISION 1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Radiological Emergency Response Plan
December 1986
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation Programs
Washington, D.C. 20460
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Foreword
I hereby endorse and commend for use by the Environmental
Protection Agency this Radiological Emergency Response Plan.
It presents the EPA authorities, organization, respon-
sibilities, and capabilities for responding to radiological
emergencies in the environment. This Plan will be used as a
guide for maintaining readiness to respond to radiological
emergencies in support of EPA responsibilities for protecting
the environment and in support of the Federal Radiological
Emergency Response Plan coordinated by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
Administrator
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction 1
A. General Responsibilities 2
State 2
Federal Coordination 2
Environmental Protection Agency 3
B. Authorities and Agreements 3
II. Functional Responsibilities 4
A. Office of Air and Radiation 5
B. Office of Research and Development 6
C. Office of Drinking Water 7
D. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response... 8
E. Office of Public Affairs 9
F. EPA Regional Offices 10
G. Office of Congressional Liaison 13
III. Notification Procedures 14
A. EPA/NRC Agreement 14
B. EPA/DOE Agreement 16
C. Notification by EPA Official 16
IV. Criteria for Response 17
V. Levels of Response 20
A. Radiochemical Analyses by ORP Facilities.... 20
B. Radiological Assistance Team 21
C. Additional EPA Assistance 21
D. Field Response Organization 22
E. Multiple Federal Agency Response 22
F. CERCLA Cleanup Actions 24
VI. Plan Maintenance and Testing 25
References 26
Appendix A - Summary of EPA Monitoring Capability for
Radiological Emergencies A-l
Appendix B - Office of Radiation Programs "Standard
Operating Procedures for Radiological
Emergency Response" B-l
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LIST OF ACRONYMNS
AA
DOE
EERF
EMSL
EOC
EPA
FEMA
FRERP
FRM
FRMAC
FRMAP
NRG
OAR
OD
ODW
OERR
ORD
ORP
ORP/LV
RRC
Assistant Administrator
Department of Energy
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Emergency Operations Center
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan
Field Response Manager
Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center
Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Plan
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Air and Radiation
Office Director, Office of Radiation Programs
Office of Drinking Water
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Office of Research and Development
Office of Radiation Programs
Office of Radiation Programs/Las Vegas Facility
Radiological Response Coordinator
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EPA Radiological Emergency Response Plan
I. Introduction
Radiological emergencies may result from a release of
radioactivity from major facilities such as nuclear power
plants or other nuclear fuel cycle facilities and from trans-
portation accidents, major research facilities, or nuclear
weapons accidents. They may also result from releases from
smaller nuclear facilities such as hospitals or facilities
using radioisotopes in industrial or research applications.
State and local government officials have the primary
responsibility for protecting the public during a radiological
emergency. State and local jurisdictions, as well as operators
of major nuclear facilities, should have compatible
radiological emergency response plans that have been
coordinated and tested.
It is not practical for State and local governments to
maintain massive emergency response capabilities, but they
must be prepared to respond during the first few hours of a
radiological emergency. Federal assistance will probably be
needed for emergencies that have the potential for significant
offsite consequences or for those that extend beyond several
hours. This Plan presents the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) organization and concept of operations for
responding as an independent Agency or as a participant in
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the implementation of the Federal Radiological Emergency
Response Plan (FRERP) [1]. The Plan identifies the
authorities, responsibilities, procedures, and resources
of the various EPA components.
A. General Responsibilities
State
As a part of their obligation to protect the public
health and welfare, State and local governments assess accident
situations and issue instructions or take actions to decrease
public exposure to radiation. These actions include evacuating,
controlling access, providing shelter, or restricting food and
water consumption.
Federal Coordination
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates
the overall offsite Federal effort to assist States with
radiological emergencies. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) monitors actions taken by its licensees during
emergencies and provides advice and assistance to the State
or licensee as may be required or, in extreme circumstances,
directs the licensee to take specific actions. The Department
of Energy (DOE) coordinates Federal offsite radiation
monitoring activities during the emergency phase (first few
days) of an emergency under the FRERP. Then, EPA assumes this
responsibility from DOE during the intermediate and long-term
phases.
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Environmental Protection Agency
Either under its independent authorities or under the
provisions of the FRERP, EPA may take a number of actions.
The EPA assures the safety of public drinking water supplies
in States that have not accepted primacy under the Safe
Drinking Water Act or if the States have not taken the
necessary actions. Also, EPA may assist State and local
governments in monitoring environmental radiation, assessing
consequences of accidents, and making protective action
decisions. Finally, the Agency's authority may be used to
clean up certain releases of radionuclides including sites
containing man-made radiation. Certain services may be
provided at the request of a State (provisions for such
consultation or assistance are usually included in State or
local emergency plans), or EPA may respond under existing
legislative authorities to an accident without being requested.
B. Authorities ana Agreements
Several authorities cover EPA's response to radiological
emergencies. These include the President's Reorganization Plan
Number 3 [2], the Public Health Service Act [3], the Safe
Drinking Water Act [4], and the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) [5]. CERCLA
response authorities are not applicable to federally permitted
releases as defined in the Act nor to releases of source,
by-product or special nuclear material from a nuclear incident
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if the release has the financial protection as required by the
Price Anderson Act. Additionally, EPA has entered into
agreements to provide for cooperation with other Federal
agencies in carrying out its activities under these authorities,
Agreements have been reached with DOE and NRC [6, 7] regarding
notification of radiological emergencies; and with FEMA
regarding radio communications [8]. The EPA may assist
the State in a radiological emergency either as a single Agency
under its own authorities or under the provisions of the FRERP
in cooperation with other Federal agencies.
The EPA is committed to assist in radiological emergency
responses when the FRERP is implemented. The DOE is the lead
agency for maintaining and implementing the Federal Radio-
logical Monitoring and Assessment Plan (FRMAP), which is a
part of the FRERP. The FRMAP coordinates Federal agency
radiological monitoring and assessment activities with those
of responsible State and local agencies. It also provides
operating guidelines for interagency radiological emergency
operations.
II. Functional Responsibilities
Several EPA offices could be involved in responding to a
radiological emergency. The following discussion summarizes
the respective functional responsibilities of those offices.
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A. Office of Air and Radiation
The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) is the lead
EPA office for planning and responding to radiological
emergencies. The OAR will designate the Office of Radiation
Programs (ORP) as the lead implementing office for directing
and coordinating the Agency response. In case of a major
emergency, the EPA response directed by ORP might require the
mobilization of resources normally outside the control of ORP,
e.g., the Las Vegas, Nevada, Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory (EMSL) of the EPA Office of Research and Development
(ORD). In such a case, the Assistant Administrator (AA) for
OAR will consult with the AA for ORD to agree upon the
conditions and duration of mobilization of ORD resources.
During any radiological emergency, ORP has the immediate
and day-to-day responsibility for directing the EPA response,
which includes designation of the EPA Field Response Manager
(FRM), and performing the following functions:
1. Assigning resources including personnel, equipment,
and laboratory support to assist in monitoring
environmental radioactivity levels.
2. Providing guidance on acceptable emergency levels
of enviromental radioactivity and radiation.
3. Assessing the nature and extent of the environmental
radiation hazard.
4. Making recommendations concerning appropriate
protective actions to minimize population exposures.
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Radiological Assistance Teams and laboratory analyses will be
provided from facilities located in Montgomery, Alabama and
Las Vegas, Nevada. See Appendix A for a summary of response
capabilities or the Radiological Assistance Teams. Dose
projection ana other technical assistance will be provided
Dy the ORP Wasnington technical staff ana at the Facilities.
The ORP "Stanaara Operating Procedures for Radiological
Emergencies" (Appenaix B) proviaes the guidance for
implementing these functions in Washington. These Standara
Operating Proceaures will be implementea by an ORP Washington
Radiological Response Coordinator (RRC) designated by the
Ottice Director (OD) for ORP. Each Radiological Assistance
Team has its own Radiological Emergency Response Procedures.
B. Office of Research and Development
The ORD has a field and laboratory response capability at
its Las Vegas, Nevada laboratory, as shown in Appendix A, which
will be usea to complement the other responding Agency
tacilities. It will respona to a radiological emergency upon
request from the AA for OAR to the AA for ORD. Once mobilized,
the ORD resources in the field will be coordinateu by the EPA
Fiela Response Manager ana will, upon his request, provide any
ot the following services:
1. Aerial photography service.
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2. Ground level environmental monitoring, including
laboratory analyses.
3. Quality assurance (through cross-checks, split
samples, and test samples, as appropriate) for
laboratory analyses conducted by other radiological
emergency monitoring organizations.
C. Office of Drinking Water
Almost all States have accepted primary enforcement
authority (primacy) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. During
a raoiological emergency involving any of the States that have
accepted primacy, the Office of Drinking Water (ODW) will
maintain awareness and cognizance of State efforts to provide
potable drinking water. The Office will take no action unless
requested by the State or unless their information indicates
that the State is unsuccessful in providing potable water. For
States that have not accepted primacy, ODW will coordinate and
assist State and local emergency response agencies to ensure
the availability of safe drinking water. In the event State
agency capabilities are exceeded, the Office will facilitate
and coordinate EPA and other Federal assistance.
All activities by ODW related to preventing radiological
contamination of water supplies or controlling the use of
radiologically contaminated water supplies will be coordinated
through the ORP Radiological Response Coordinator. The ODW
will, upon request, assist and advise the Field Response
Manager for all technical areas within its organizational
responsibility, which include:
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1. Establishing, in cooperation with ORP, emergency
guidance for radioactivity in drinking water.
2. Providing data on public water systems to identify
and notify affected licensees and States.
3. Providing technical assistance to States or
licensees concerning water treatment techniques,
bypass procedures, alternate sources, and other
activities related to maintaining drinking water
quality and service.
4. Assisting on-the-scene personnel in coordinating
activities to minimize the adverse impact of drinking
water contamination.
5. Assisting local and State agencies, in non-primacy
States, in implementing plans and activities to
provide emergency potable water supplies.
The ODW operating procedures for radiological emergencies
provide guidance on implementing these activities.
D. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR)
Since CERCLA response authority may be used to clean up
certain releases of radionuclides, including sites containing
man-made radiation, OERR may be required to participate in a
radiological emergency. This activity could take the form of
an immediate emergency response or more long-term remedial
action. OERR's involvement need not be requested by the state.
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If CERCLA authority is used, then the response action to
the radionuclide release will be carried out in accordance with
the National Contingency Plan (40 CFR Part 300) [9], Among the
possible OERR response actions are the following:
1. Security and site control precautions
2. Removal of highly contaminated soils
3. Provision of alternative water supply
4. Air emissions controls
5. Surface and ground water controls
All OERR activities, directed by the On-Scene Coordinator
when operating under the authority of the National Contingency
Plan, will be coordinated with the ORP Radiological Response
Coordinator.
E. Office of Public Affairs
The handling of press and public relations will depend on
whether EPA is responding as a single Federal agency or as part
of a multi-agency response. For a single-agency response, the
EPA Regional Office of Public Affairs will assist the Regional
Office and the Field Response Manager in arranging and
conducting media briefings and preparing any news releases.
The Washington Office of Public Affairs will perform similar
services for OAR in Washington.
For a multi-agency response to a radiological emergency,
FEMA will coordinate all media briefings and news releases
concerning the emergency, in accordance with the FRERP. The
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EPA Regional and Washington Office of Public Affairs will
assist FEMA in understanding the EPA participation and will
arrange for EPA participation in media interchanges as directed
by FEMA.
F. EPA Regional Offices
All EPA Regions have emergency response plans for
accidental environmental releases of oil, toxic chemicals, and
hazardous substances. Additional response plans specifically
attuned for radiological emergencies are necessary because the
States have a major responsibility for protecting the public
during radiological emergencies. The EPA role in radiological
emergencies generally is to assist States in protecting the
public. In the case of a major radiological emergency, with
multiple Federal agencies responding, EPA will participate
under guidance from FEMA, the lead Federal agency.
The EPA Regional response participants consist of (1) a
Duty Officer, (2) an Emergency Response Team, and (3) the
Regional Radiation Representative. Their respective functions
are:
1. Duty Officer. Each Region has a Duty Officer to
provide 24-hour emergency telephone coverage. When a
radiological emergency is reported, the Duty Officer
will notify the Regional Radiation Representative in
addition to the regular notification list.
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2. Regional Emergency Response Team. A Regional
Emergency Response Team may be established for major
radiological emergencies if requested by the OD. The
Regional Emergency Response Team will function under
the direction of the EPA Field Response Manager. For
radiological emergencies involving a combined Federal
response, a Federal Radiological Monitoring and
Assessment Center (FRMAC) will be established by DOE
in accordance with the FRERP. The Regional Emergency
Response Team will operate from the FRMAC. In
general, the functions of the Regional Emergency
Response Team are to:
a. Provide personnel to perform nonradiological
functions in support of EPA field monitoring
teams.
b. Act as field logistical liaison with the State
and other Federal agencies on the scene.
c. Request assistance of appropriate State and local
officials in support of the EPA response.
d. Provide the funding mechanism for emergency field
supplies to support EPA activities.
e. Provide logistical support for EPA field
monitoring teams, arranging for such items as
housing, laboratory space, utilities,
transportation, and communication.
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f. Secure equipment from Regional resources as
needed.
g. Recommend, in cooperation with State
representatives, actions in the field to assure
the provision of safe drinking water and to
protect the public from contaminated water
supplies.
h. Advise the Regional Administrator and the
Regional Radiation Representative about problems
and progress.
3. Regional Radiation Representative. The Regional
Radiation Representative serves in an advisory role to
the Regional Administrator and will execute the
functions listed below whether or not a Regional
Response Team has been activated. The Regional
Radiation Representative is primarily a communicator
with EPA Headquarters, nearby States, and other
Regional Offices. The functions of the Regional
Radiation Representatives are to:
a. Receive notifications of radiological emergencies
in the Region.
b. Notify appropriate persons in the Regional
Office, nearby States, and EPA Headquarters.
c. Serve as advisor to the Regional Administrator on
radiation matters.
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d. Receive and compile information from the ORP
Radiological Response Coordinator concerning
progress of the accident and radiological
conditions in the environment for use in advising
the Regional Administrator, nearby States, and
other Regional Offices.
Other available regional participants are the
pre-designated On-Scene Coordinators, Regional Response Teams,
and other individuals used for emergency and remedial response
under the National Contingency Plan.
G. Office of Congressional Liaison
The handling of Congressional contacts will also
depend on whether EPA is responding as a single Federal agency
or as part of a multi-agency response. For a single-agency
response, the Regional Congressional Liaison Contacts will
assist the Regional Office and the FRM in contacting
appropriate Congressional offices and providing information
briefings if necessary. At the same time, the Washington
Office of Congressional Liaison will contact key Committee
staff and provide information briefings if necessary.
For a multi-agency response to a radiological
emergency, FEMA will coordinate all Congressional contacts
concerning the emergency in accordance with the FRERP. The
EPA Regional and/or Washington Congressional Liaison Office
will arrange for EPA participation in Congressional inter-
changes as directed by FEMA.
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Ill. Notification Procedures
The EPA may receive notification of a radiological
emergency from a number of sources. Primary sources will be
States, the NRG, PEMA, and DOE, as shown in Figure 1. Other
potential sources of notification include private citizens or
nuclear or other facility operators where the emergency
situation originates. Forty CFR Part 302 sets forth reporting
requirements under CERCLA for the release of a radionuclide in
a reportable quantity or more. Such releases are to be
reported to the National Response Center. CERCLA reporting
requirements are not applicable to federally permitted releases
as defined in the Act nor to releases of source, by-product or
special nuclear material from a nuclear incident if the release
has the financial protection as required by the Price Anderson
Act. The EPA also has bilateral interagency agreements on
notification with NRC and DOE. States are expected to notify
the EPA Regional Radiation Representative when a radiological
emergency occurs that is not within the jurisdiction of NRC or
DOE.
A. EPA/NRC Agreement
The EPA/NRC agreement [7] specifies that NRC regional
offices shall notify the appropriate EPA Regional Radiation
Representative in a timely manner of any of the following
situations:
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STATE
FEMA
DOE
HEADQUARTERS
NRC
HEADQUARTERS
NRC REGION
NATIONAL
RESPONSE
CENTER
DOE REGION
EPA REGION
EPA
WASHINGTON
RADIOLOGICAL
RESPONSE COORDINATION
FIGURE 1.
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF NOTIFICATION OF RADIOLOGICAL
EMERGENCIES OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
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1. Any unplanned radiological release to the environment
reported to the NRC Operations Center.
2. Any licensee-reported event that is categorized as an
Alert, Site Area Emergency, or General Emergency as
defined in NUREG-0654, Revision 1 (FEMA REP-1).
3. Anytime the NRC Operations Center is in the Standby
or Activation Mode.
4. Anytime the NRC/licensee modes are de-escalated or
deactivated from an Alert, Site Area, or General
Emergency Classification.
To assure the notification loop is closed, NRC
Headquarters has also informally agreed to notify ORP
Washington in these instances. The NRC regulations require
that licensees promptly notify the NRC regional office of
radiological emergencies.
B. EPA/DOE Agreement
The EPA/DOE agreement [6], in summary, requires DOE
Headquarters to notify the ORP Washington Office, and DOE
Field Offices to notify the appropriate EPA Regional Radiation
Representative of radioactive releases at DOE facilities that,
under DOE procedures, must be reported immediately to DOE
Headquarters.
C. Notification by EPA Official
Notification of radiological emergencies or requests for
assistance may come to any of a variety of EPA components.
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However, all requests are to be channeled to the EPA Regional
Radiation Representatives and.to the EPA Washington Radio-
logical Response Coordinator for appropriate notifications.
Figure 2 shows the EPA plan for notification of organizations
in EPA, States, and other Federal agencies. Notifications will
be made to individuals, as appropriate, about the nature of the
emergency and in accordance with operating procedures of
specific EPA organizations.
IV. Criteria for Response
The OD for ORP or his designee determines the appropriate
rates and levels of any Agency response to a radiological
emergency. If the CERCLA authority is to be used, the CERCLA
On-scene Coordinator determines the appropriate level of
response; which is carried out in accordance with the
provisions of the National Contingency Plan. If the State
requests a response and the FRERP has not been implemented, the
OD may implement the EPA response under the Agency's own
authorities, and the EPA Radiological Response Coordinator will
notify the State of the Agency's EPA action. If another
Federal agency requests EPA to respond, that agency will be
asked to coordinate the request through DOE so that it will be
a FRERP response. Requests for response from private citizens
or nuclear facility operators will be coordinated through the
appropriate State officials.
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REGIONAL
DUTY
OFFICER*
NOTIFICATION
SOURCE*
REGIONAL
RADIATION
REPRESENTATIVE1*
REGIONAL
OFFICE OF
PUBLIC
AFFAIRS
00
I
i
AFFECTED
STATEtS)
REGIONAL
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
1
±
WASHINGTON
RADIOLOGICAL
RESPONSE
COORDINATOR'
RAD. REP.
IN OTHER
AFFECTED
REGIONS
FRERP
AGENCIES
IN THE
REGION
i
REGIONAL
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
I
LABORATORY
OR FACILITY
DIRECTOR4
OD/ORP
REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATOR
AA/OAR
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
WATER
I
FIELD
RESPONSE
MANAGER
OFFICE OF
WATER
PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF
EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS
ADMINISTRATOR
• IF THE REGIONAL RADIATION REPRESENTATIVE OR HIS ALTERNATE CANNOT BE REACHED. THE DUTY
OFFICER WILL CONTACT THE WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR FOR ADVICE ON OTHER
REGIONAL CONTACTS TO BE MAOE.
b IF A WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR CANNOT BE REACHED. THE REGIONAL RADIATION
REPRESENTATIVE WILL CONTACT THE OO OR OTHER KEY WASHINGTON RESPONSE PERSON. AS AVAILABLE.
* . IF THE REGIONAL RADIATION REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT BE REACHED. THE WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE
COORDINATOR WILL MAKE REGIONAL NOTIFICATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.
d IF A WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR CANNOT BE REACHED. THE OO OR OTHER KEY WASHINGTON
RESPONSE PERSONS WILL BE NOTIFIED. AS AVAILABLE.
RADXWUCUOE RELEASES REPORT ABLE UNDER CERCLA WNLL FOLLOW NOTFICATMN PROCEDURES
A9 SET FORTH M 40 CfR PARTS MO AND 102.
FIGURE 2. EPA PLAN FOR NOTIFICATION OF RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES
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The EPA. will respond without a request if, in the judgment
of the OD, any of the following conditions exist:
1. Conditions at the scene warrant an immediate EPA
evaluation of radioactivity in the environment.
2. A release occurs or appears likely to occur that would
produce offsite doses exceeding Protective Action
Guides*.
3. Press coverage of public anxiety is such that an EPA
response is warranted. The OD or his designee will
determine the appropriate response team (see Sec. V)
based on (a) proximity to the scene of the emergency;
(b) response needs versus capability of each team; and
(c) availability of personnel and equipment.
EPA also has the authority to respond under CERCLA
whenever there is a release or substantial threat of a release
into the environment of any hazardous substance (including
radionuclides), pollutant or contaminant which may present an
imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare
or the environment. These responses are made in accordance
with the National Contingency Plan.
* Protective Action Guide (PAG) is a projected radiation dose
to individuals in the population that warrants taking
protective action [10].
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V. Levels of Response
The States have the primary responsibility for responding
to radiological emergencies. The EPA field response will
usually be conducted as assistance to a State. Although most
radiological emergencies will not require active EPA field
response, EPA will maintain cognizance until the emergency is
under control. EPA response may include monitoring and
assessing or, under CERCLA, actual cleanup activities. If
clean up activities are involved, they will be carried out in
accordance with the provisions of the National Contingency Plan,
The resources that EPA will commit to a radiological
emergency are dependent on the specific request, the
characteristics of the emergency, and the resources being
provided by others. These resources may range from advice
and guidance from the Regional Office to the participation of
EPA monitoring teams in a multi-agency Federal effort under
the FRERP to site cleanup under CERCLA. The OD or his designee
decides and initiates the appropriate response, except when the
Regional Office can handle the emergency without assistance.
The increasing levels of response that the OD may initiate are
outlined in the following discussion.:
A. Radiochemical Analyses by ORP Facilities
A State may require assistance in radiological analyses
of environmental samples when responding to a radiological
emergency. In such cases the OD or his designee can commit
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the Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF) in Montgomery,
Alabama, or the Office of Radiation Programs Facility in Las Vegas,
Nevada (ORP/LV) to receive samples and perform the required
analyses. He may also obtain the services of the ORD EMSL in
Las Vegas, Nevada, in accordance with Section II.B. of this Plan.
B. Radiological Assistance Team
The OD or his designee may select Radiological Assistance
Teams from the EERF or ORP/LV. He may also request a team from
the EMSL in Las Vegas, Nevada by contacting the AA for ORD.
The resources and capabilities of EPA response teams are
described in Appendix A.
C. Additional EPA Assistance
The EPA resources that may be called in addition to
radiological monitoring assistance are described in the
following paragraphs!
1. Aerial Photography - Aerial photography service may
be obtained by contacting the OD, who will arrange
for support by the ORD OD for Acid Deposition,
Environmental Monitoring, and Quality Assurance.
2. Drinking Water - Most drinking water emergencies
involving radiation will be handled at the Regional
Office level. The Regional Radiation Representative
must participate in Regional decisions regarding
radioactivity in drinking water. In extreme
situations, ODW Washington assistance may be required
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to establish an emergency water supply or to establish
ad hoc emergency guidance for radioactivity in
drinking water. The ODW will advise ORP of its
efforts in establishing emergency guidance for
radioactivity in drinking water.
3. Emergency Management and Assessment - The OD will,
upon request, assign ORP staff to States or assist in
performing administrative duties, answering inquiries,
or conducting radiochemical analyses, dose
assessments, or risk evaluations.
D. Field Response Organization
The EPA field organization to be placed in charge of the
EPA response will depend on the resources that EPA commits to
the scene of the radiological emergency. In any case, the
OD or his designee directs the EPA response. If both a
Radiological Assistance Team and a Regional Response Team
respond, the OD will designate a FRM to direct the activities
of both teams. The FRM will be in charge of all EPA field
activities. Figure 3 shows the organization and reporting
formats for responses involving Radiological Assistance Teams.
E. Multiple Federal Agency Response
Radiological emergencies with significant potential for
environmental releases will need the response of multiple
Federal agencies. Under these circumstances, FEMA will be
in charge of all emergency response activities by Federal
agencies. The DOE will coordinate all radiological monitoring
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AA/OAR
DIRECTION
OD/ORP
I
N)
LIASON
OFFICE OF
EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS
REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATOR
WASHINGTON
RADIOLOGICAL
RESPONSE
COORDINATOR
STATE
RADIOLOGICAL
EMERGENCY
MANGEMENT
AGENCY
DATA
LABORATORY
OR FACILITY
DIRECTOR
LIASON
LIASON
REGIONAL
RADIATION
REPRESENTATIVE
STATUS REPORTS
/ I M
FIELD
RESPONSE
MANAGER'
COORDINATION
AND DIRECTION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
WATER
STATUS
REPORT
NEARBY
STATES AND
REGIONAL
OFFICES
1 'J
REGIONAL
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
WATER
\ 'COORDINATION AND DIRECTION
TEAM
CAPTAIN AND
RADIOLOGICAL
ASSISTANCE
TEAM
LOGISTICAL ASSISTANCE
1
REGIONAL
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
ocO
•DESIGNATED BY ORP OFFICE DIRECTOR
NOTE: THE NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN (40 CFR 300) OUTLINES THE ORGANIZATION
AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED W A CERCLA RESPONSE ACTION IS
TAKEN
FIGURE 3. EPA RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE ORGANIZATION
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and assessment activities for FEMA in accordance with the FRERP,
Under this arrangement, EPA field monitoring assistance will be
coordinated through DOE.
In multi-agency Federal response, coordination will be
needed at the Washington offices of Federal agencies. The
lead EPA Policy Officer is the AA for Air and Radiation. The
OD for the Office of Radiation Programs or his designee
coordinates EPA activities and serves as liaison to other
Federal agencies in Washington. On scene, the designated FRM
performs this function.
F. CERCLA Cleanup Actions
CERCLA cleanup actions are of two types: removal actions
to address emergency-type situations and remedial actions to
address long-term cleanup needs. In a removal action, EPA may
take any appropriate action to abate, minimize, stabilize,
mitigate, or eliminate the release or threat of release.
Remedial actions include responses to releases that are
consistent with permanent remedy and designed to prevent or
minimize the release of hazardous substances or pollutants or
contaminants so that they do not migrate to cause substantial
danger to present or future public health or welfare or the
environment. Either of these response activities may be
appropriate in a radiological emergency. These activities,
when required, will be carried out by EPA in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the National Contingency Plan.
- 24 -
-------
VI. Plan Maintenance and Testing
Each EPA office shall provide its own funds to maintain a
state of readiness and to respond to radiological emergencies.
This includes the updating and testing of plans and procedures,
training of response personnel, and maintaining and upgrading
equipment. When a Regional team is deployed to provide
onsite administrative support, the team will provide funds
for procurement of emergency supplies and services; however,
each responding organization will fund the salary and expenses
of its personnel. All costs of CERCLA readiness and response
will be funded under CERCLA.
The ORP will periodically (approximately once each year)
conduct unannounced telephone drills to confirm readiness and
competence of each organization to respond. Teams may be
periodically deployed to the site of an exercise. All drills
and exercises will be timed to correspond to selected exercises
of emergency response plans conducted by States and industry.
The ORP will maintain a current copy of implementation
procedures and contact lists for each EPA organization covered
in this Plan. Each organization should promptly notify ORP of
any changes in procedures or phone numbers of key individuals
or organizations.
- 25 -
-------
References
1. Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan,
Concurrency by All Twelve Federal Agencies and Publication
as an Operational Plan, F.R. Vol. 50, No. 217, Nov. 8, 1985
2. President's Reorganization Plan Number 3, 42 USC 2021(h),
1970
3. Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 201 et seq. (1970)
4. The Safe Drinking Water Act, as Amended, November 1977.
Serial No. 95-10. U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C.
5. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.(P.L. 96-510,
December 11, 1980).
6. Hollister, Hal, Department of Energy, Letter to
Dr. W. D. Rowe, EPA, January 18, 1978. Office of
Radiation Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C. 20460.
7. DeYoung, Richard C., Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Letter to Kathleen M. Bennett, July 28, 1982, Office of
Air, Noise, and Radiation, Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460. (Revised May 27, 1986)
8. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency
Concerning the Use of High Frequency Radio for Radio-
logical Emergency Response. (Dated Apri 1 3~, 1981) .
Office of Radiation Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460.
9. The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan, dated November 20, 1985 (40 CFR Part
300) .
10. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Manual of
Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for
Nuclear Incidents. September 1975, Revised June 1980.
Office of Radiation Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460.
- 26 -
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APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF EPA MONITORING CAPABILITY
FOR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES
-------
APPENDIX A
Summary of EPA Monitoring Capability
for Radiological Emergencies
The EPA has three radiological facilities, each with a
team organized and equipped for field and laboratory monitoring
assistance during a radiological emergency. Two of these teams
are within the Office of Radiation Programs (ORP), with one
located at the Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF)
in Montgomery, Alabama, and the other at the ORP/Las Vegas
Facility (ORP/LV) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The third team is in
the Office of Research and Development at the Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory (EMSL) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Each laboratory has analytical capability to measure all
beta-gamma emitting radionuclides anticipated to represent a
potential public hazard during an environmental radiological
emergency. Some of the beta-gamma analytical equipment from
each laboratory can be movea into the field in a mobile
laboratory or may be transferred to an established field
laboratory. The EERF and ORP/LV have mobile laboratories
ana have the capability to analyze alpha emitters.
Each laboratory has a Radiological Assistance Team of
from 10 to 25 members ana field equipment for sampling and
radiologically analyzing air, water, and food and for making
beta and gamma radiation measurements.
Team response time will vary depending on the travel
distance, whether the response is ordered during normal working
hours, ana the magnitude of the response. Time to respond to
the site of the emergency could vary from several hours to one
day depending on these variables.
Personnel monitoring equipment for team members is
available at all laboratories.
Each team has some radio communication equipment suitable
for short range communications at the monitoring sites. The
ORP teams at EERF and Las Vegas have high-frequency (high
range) radio communication between field sites and the .
laboratories using frequencies allocated to FEMA and DOE.
The EMSL has contract capabilities for aerial photography
and provide quality assurance for laboratory analysis by all
monitoring organizations.
The attached table further summarizes the emergency
monitoring capability of each Radiological Assistance Team.
A-l
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TABLE A-l
SUMMARY OF EPA RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MONITORING CAPABILITY
ITEM
EERF
Montgomery, Alabama
ORP/LV
Las Vegas, Nevada
EMSL
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tine Frames
to
Time to commercial
airport
Time to military
airport
Time needed to ready
equipment and teams
20 minutes
20 minutes
2 hours during worktime
2 to 3 hours uuring off
hours
10 minutes
30 minutes
2 hours for team and hand
instrument kits
4-6 hours for readying full
response
10 minutes
30 minutes
2 hours for team readiness
4 hours to load cargo
containers
more time needed for off
hours
Team Characteristics
20 professional and
technical for field
and/or lab use
20 technical and non-
technical for
laboratory operation.
Includes 1 certified HP.
10 professional and technical
personnel, including 2
laboratory operators for
radiochemistry. Also
includes certified HP.
About 25 certified monitors
which include about 10
technical professionals
for field and lab
operations.
-------
TABLE A-l
SUMMARY OF EPA RADIODOGICAL EMERGENCY MONITORING CAPABILITY (continued)
ITEM
EERF
Montgomery, Alabama
ORP/LV
Las Vegas, Nevada
EMSL
Las Vegas, Nevada
Transportation
1 24' mobile lab
(air transportable)
2 cargo vans
7 passenger van
1 road scanner (1 ton)
1 24' TRAVCO RV sample
preparation van
1 3/4 ton pickup
1 35' self-contained counting
facility with tractor (air
transportable via C-141)
20 pickup trucks
1 truck for deep well
sampling
1 van for whole body
screening
Communication
u>
Portable computer
terminals
Mobile VHF radios
WalKie-talkies
Base Station
Repeaters
Monitor - receiver
Portable telecopier
HF Stations (fixed)
3
4
13 portable mobile units
2
1
1
1
2
4 in vehicles, 5 portable
10
1
1
2
1
20 in pickup trucks (Nevada
area only)
6 (Nevada area only)
Meteorolog ical
2 portable met stations 2 portable met stations
Electrical Generation
1 mounted in mobile lab
6 portable generators
2 units (2.5 kW) portable
1 (16 kW) on tractor
1 (6 kW) on tractor
20-1.5 kW propane generators
-------
TABLE A-l
SUMMARY OF EPA RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MONITORING CAPABILITY (continued)
ITEM
EERF
Montgomery, Alabama
ORP/LV
Las Vegas, Nevada
EMSL
Las Vegas, Nevada
Analytical Capability
GeLi detectors
Multi channel analyzer
Nal detectors
Liquid scintillation
Noble gas analyzer
Alpha-beta counter
Alpha spectrometer
Portable swipe counter
Single channel analyzer
Field lab
Road scanner
3 lab and 2 field
6 lab and 3 field
5 (4x4) ana 1 (4x5 well)
3 lab and 1 field
1 lab unit
6 proportional counters
16 lab and 1 field unit
2 lab and 2 field
3 with sealers
1 complete with
facilities
3 field or lab
2 field
1 field
1 field and 1 lab
1 field and 1 lab
1 lab (16 detectors)
6
2
1 complete with
facilities
1 with 4x9 Nal detector
6 lab and 2 field
2 lab and 2 field
4 (4x4)
5 lab
2 lab
2 lab
2 lab
none
none
Personnel Monitoring
Equipment
TLD's
Readers
Self reading dosimeters
50
1 lab and 1 portable
35
200
2 lab and 1 portable
40
about 2000
2 lab and 1 portable
20
Exposure Rate Equipment
Gairnia rate recorders
PICs
none
8 ( 0 to 0.5 mR/hr)
7 (0-100 mR/hr)
50 (0 to 100 mR/hr)
-------
TABLE A-l
SUMMARY OF EPA RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MONITORING CAPABILITY (continued)
ITEM
EERF
Montgomery, Alabama
ORP/LV
Las Vegas, Nevada
Air Sanpling
particulate only
particulate and iodine
iodine species samplers
gases
tritium
alpha activity
cascade impactor
airborne sampling and
tracking
24
24
6
3 pumps and 15-20 tanks
4 pumps and plenty of
collectors
several heads
2 field, high volume
particle sizing
collectors
none
16
18
2 pumps
none
none
4 high volume with PM-10
heads
none
EMSL
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hand held
low range
low range
high range
alpha
Fiddler probles
Neutron detectors
12
8
6
16
2
4
26
20
10
10
2
1
120
50
35
22
none
none
none
30
none
6 pumps and 18 tanks
3 or 4 molecular sieves
none
none
none
Water Sampling
integrators
proportional
none
none
none
none
3 or 4
none
-------
TABLE A-l
SUMMARY OF EPA RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MONITORING CAPABILITY (continued)
IT£M EERF ORP/LV EMSL
Montgomery, Alabama Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada
Liquid Sample Processing None None
drying units 6
ion exchange 50 or more
wet chemistry limited capability
in field
filter units 3
-------
APPENDIX B
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
FOR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSES
BY THE
EPA OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION
IN WASHINGTON
-------
APPENDIX B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction B-l
A. Purpose and Scope B-l
B. Resources for Response B-l
C. Policy for Response B-2
II. Responsibilities and Procedures B-2
A. AA for Air and Radiation B-2
B. OD for Office of Radiation Programs.. B-5
C. Radiological Response Coordinator B-8
D. Field Response Manager B-13
E. Technical Staff B-14
References B-17
-------
I. Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Radiological
Emergency Response Plan [1] identifies the responsibilities
of specific EPA organizations for providing emergency assist-
ance to State and local agencies responding to radiological
emergencies. It indicates that such assistance may be under
EPA legislative authorities or may be under the authorities of
the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan (FRERP) [2].
These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) apply regardless
of the response authority.
A. Purpose and Scope
These SOPs set forth the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
Washington procedures for maintaining readiness to respond and
for actually responding to a radiological emergency. The OAR
responsibilities set forth in the EPA Plan [1] form the basis
for these procedures.
B. Resources for Response
The resources at OAR in Washington for response to
radiological emergencies consist of:
1. Management personnel for decisions regarding
expenditure of funds and assignments of field
and laboratory teams.
2. Technical personnel for assessment of
radiological conditions and their potential
consequences and for recommendations on appro-
priate actions.
3. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for
communications, information compilation, and
briefings. Maps and technical information on
fixed nuclear facilities are maintained with
the EOC.
In addition to Washington resources, OAR has access
to and is responsible for authorizing deployment of monitoring
teams with field monitoring equipment from Office of Radiation
Programs (ORP) facilities at Montgomery, Alabama, and Las Vegas,
Nevada, and an Office of Research and Development (ORD) Team
from its laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Laboratory analytical
capabilities at these facilities and Regional Emergency Response
Teams for logistic support are also available for emergency
assignment. These response organizations each have their
own response procedures in accordance with the EPA Plan [1].
B-l
-------
C. Policy for Response
The States have the primary responsibility for responding
to radiological emergencies. EPA field response, i.e., actual
monitoring and assessment, will usually be conducted as assist-
ance to a State and other Federal agency. Although most
radiological emergencies will not require active EPA field
response, EPA will be notified and kept informed of them.
The OAR response to a radiological emergency will be
triggered by either notification of a radiological emergency
or a request for response by a Federal or State agency. These
notifications or requests for response will be channeled to a
Radiological Response Coordinator (RRC) at ORP as designated in
Figure B-l.
The Office Director (OD) or his designee determines
the appropriate times and levels of the Agency response.
The OD will implement the EPA response if requested by State
authorities or another Federal agency. The EPA will respond
without a request if conditions warrant.
II. Responsibilities and Procedures
The specified responsibilities and procedures are for
planning purposes, but because of unpredictable conditions
and influences, many of them are subject to judgment of the
responder during the emergency. For these procedures, "must"
indicates a mandatory action and "will" indicates an expected
action subject to the judgment of the responder.
Most reported radiological emergencies will be of such
low magnitude that no EPA response will be needed. Reports
of radiological emergencies received by the Regions will be
reported to the RRC who will decide whether they should be
reported to management in Washington for consideration on EPA
response. Requests for radiological assistance must always be
reported to the OD. If the RRC cannot be reached immediately,
the Regional Radiation Representative will use his own judgment
regarding notification of the OD or other higher EPA officials.
Figure B-2 summarizes the response activities at Headquarters
following notification of a radiological emergency or a request
for radiological assistance. The following sections detail the
responsibilities and provide procedures as needed to implement
them.
A. Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation (AA-OAR)
1. Responsibilities
B-2
-------
STATE
FEMA
DOE
HEADQUARTERS
NRC
HEADQUARTERS
NRC REGION
NATIONAL
RESPONSE
CENTER
DOE REGION
EPA REGION
EPA
WASHINGTON
RADIOLOGICAL
RESPONSE COORDINATION
FIGURE B-1.
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF NOTIFICATION OF RADIOLOGICAL
EMERGENCIES OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
B-3
-------
REGIONAL
DUTY
OFFICER*
JL
NOTIFICATION
SOURCE0
REGIONAL
RADIATION
REPRESENTATIVE11
REGIONAL
OFFICE OF
PUBLIC
AFFAIRS
W
•u
I
AFFECTED
STATE (SI
REGIONAL
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
I
1
WASHINGTON
RADIOLOGICAL
RESPONSE
COORDINATOR0
RAD. REP.
IN OTHER
AFFECTED
REGIONS
FRERP
AGENCIES
IN THE
REGION
REGIONAL
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
i
1
LABORATORY
OR FACILITY
DIRECTOR*
OD/ORP
REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATOR
AA/OAR
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
DRINKING
WATER
I
FIELD
RESPONSE
MANAGER
OFFICE OF
WATER
PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF
EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS
ADMINISTRATOR
' IF THE REGIONAL RADIATION REPRESENTATIVE OR HIS ALTERNATE CANNOT BE REACHED. THE DUTY
REGIONAL CONTACTS TO BE MADE.
b IF A WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR CANNOT BE REACHED. THE REGIONAL RADIATION
REPRESENTATIVE WILL CONTACT THE OD OR OTHER KEY WASHINGTON RESPONSE PERSON. AS AVAILABLE.
c IF THE REGIONAL RADIATION REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT BE REACHED, THE WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE
COORDINATOR WILL MAKE REGIONAL NOTIFICATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.
d IF A WASHINGTON RADIOLOGICAL RESPONSE COORDINATOR CANNOT BE REACHED. THE OD OR OTHER KEY WASHINGTON
RESPONSE PERSONS WILL BE NOTIFIED. AS AVAILABLE.
R AWONUCUDE RELEASES REPORTABLE UNDER CERCLA WILL FOLLOW NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
AS SET FORTH IN 40 CFR PARTS 300 AND 302.
FIGURE B-2. EPA PLAN FOR NOTIFICATIONS OF RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES
-------
The AA-OAR is responsible for the following
functions:
a. Authorizing budget to support these
procedures.
b. Participating in telephone drills.
c. Representing EPA before other Federal
agencies, Congress, and at the White House.
d. Resolving any intra-agency problems on
funding or priority.
2. Procedures (none required)
B. Director of the Office of Radiation Programs
1. Responsibilities
a. Budgeting for emergency preparedness
activities, equipment, and supplies.
b. Assuring availability of space for emergency
equipment and an EOC.
c. Participating in drills.
d. Designating a RRC and two or more Assistant
RRC's.
e. Supporting EPA participation in the FRERP
[2].
f. Determining the appropriate level of EPA
response and the source of that response.
g. Assigning field and/or laboratory response.
h. Notifying the AA-OAR of the emergency and
our response.
i. Preparing Headquarters press releases and
conducting briefings in cooperation with
FEMA or the State.
j. Providing liaison with other responding
Federal agencies.
k. Transmitting EPA response recommendations to
State and Federal officials.
B-5
-------
2. Procedures
a. Emergency Operations Center
The EOC will consist of a conference-
room-type arrangement that may be used for
other ad hoc purposes when an EOC is not
needed. Equipment in the room will consist
of:
(1) Radio and television receiver.
(2) Video and voice recorder.
(3) Speaker telephone with conference
capability.
(4) Chalkboard or equivalent.
(5) Wall space for local, State, Regional,
and national maps.
(6) Projection screen.
(7) Conference table and chairs.
(8) Supply cabinet with lock.
Additional equipment available to the EOC
must include:
(1) Reference file of EPA Radiological
Emergency Response Plan and associated
procedures.
(2) Reference file of key information on
' major nuclear facilities and their
environments.
(3) Reference file of State maps, a
national map, and maps of local areas
around major nuclear facilities.
b. Drills
The RRC will conduct periodic telephone
drills to check the ability of EPA to
respond effectively. The OD of the Office
of Radiation Programs will participate in
these drills as appropriate.
B-6
-------
C. FRERP
The OD will designate an EPA representative
to participate in FRERP planning activities
and to maintain EPA response procedures and
capabilities in accordance with FRERP
agreements.
d. Response Decisions
The OD decides and initiates the appropriate
response when a radiological emergency
occurs. Response will normally be initiated
as a result of a request from a State or
Federal agency. A response will be imple-
mented without a request if, in the judgment
of the OD, any of the following conditions
exist:
(1) Conditions at the scene warrant
an immediate EPA evaluation of
environmental conditions;
(2) A release has occurred or appears
likely to occur that would produce
offsite doses exceeding the Protective
Action Guides; or
(3) Public anxiety is such that EPA's
response is warranted.
Field response must not be implemented in
a State without the knowledge of State
officials and the EPA Region.
The response may range from advice to State
officials to sending monitoring teams in a
multi-agency Federal effort. Recommendations
of the RRC and others, as appropriate, will
be considered in deciding the appropriate
response rate and level. The response will
depend on (1) the resources that EPA can
commit to a radiological emergency, (2) the
specific request, (3) characteristics of
the emergency, and (4) the resources being
provided by others.
e. Assignment of Field Response
The OD will determine the appropriate
radiological assistance team based on
B-7
-------
(1) proximity to the accident; (2) response
needs versus capability of each team; and
(3) availability of personnel and equipment.
The OD will appoint a FRM who will be either
an ORP Washington staff person or a member
of the Radiological Assistance Team. If
the FRM indicates that he needs logistical
assistance in the field, the OD will arrange
for a Regional Response Team. Names and
phone numbers of Regional contacts are
listed in Section III.
f. Notifications
If field response or emergency laboratory
services are to be implemented by EPA, the
OD must notify the AA for the Office of Air
and Radiation. Section III provides names
and phone numbers of those contacts.
Radiological Response Coordinator
The RRC is a Washington staff member designated by
the OD, with responsibilities and functions as listed
below.
1. Responsibilities
Receiving notification of radiological
emergencies or requests for assistance and
for directing the OAR response effort until
that responsibility shifts to the field through
designation of a FRM. They are responsible for
the following functions:
a. Maintaining OAR response procedures,
equipment, and supplies in a state of
readiness to respond to a radiological
emergency.
b. Evaluating through drills and plan tests
the readiness of EPA to respond to a
radiological emergency.
c. Conducting training and briefing sessions
for Radiological Assistance Teams and other
B-8
-------
QAR response persons concerning the EPA
Response Plan and procedures.
d. Maintaining technical and map files in
support of the EOC.
e. Receiving emergency notification, assessing
the need for response, and making response
recommendations to the OD. Implementing
recommendations if directed by the OD.
f. Notifying appropriate persons.
g. Directing operations at the EOC.
h. Maintaining cognizance of accident
conditions and responses.
i. Documenting the accident and the EPA
response.
j. Functioning as FRM if so directed by the OD.
2. Procedures
a. Updates
Update radiological procedures annually or
as needed to incorporate revised plans or
changes in personnel and phone numbers.
b. Inventory
Evaluate annually the need for equipment,
supplies, and services to support the
monitoring team and the EOC and submit
procurement requests as needed.
c. Drills and Plan Tests
Participate routinely in telephone drills
and tests of radiological emergency plans
initiated by States. Annually, expand a
telephone drill associated with the test
of a State plan to include all of the
responding components of the EPA Plan [1] ,
except to include only the Region(s) in
which the initiating test is involved.
B-9
-------
The drills should be fashioned to determine
whether:
(1) Response persons or alternates can be
contacted by telephone.
(2) Response persons or alternates know
their functions.
(3) Response persons or alternates can
carry out their functions. Consider
funding, authorizations, and knowledge.
(4) Response would be timely.
(5) Needed equipment and supplies are
available and functional.
Following the drill, prepare a report and
indicate the adequate responses and those
areas of response needing improvement.
Distribute copies of the report to all
participants in the drill.
d. File Maintenance
Maintain files of local and State maps
showing the location of each major nuclear
facility.
Maintain an up-to-date copy of the EPA Plan
and associated implementation procedures and
review any changes to assure compatibility
with other parts of the Plan or procedures.
e. Training
Based on changes to response plans,
procedures, or equipment, and on evaluations
of responses to telephone drills, conduct
training and/or briefing sessions fo.r OAR
Washington staff as needed.
f. Assessments and Recommendations for Response
The RRC will receive radiological emergency
notifications or requests for assistance.
The following is a guide for obtaining
initial information:
B-10
-------
(1) Who is calling? (name, affiliation,
area code, phone number, time, and date)
(2) Was the call made to request assistance
or to deliver information?
(3) (a) What happened?
(b) Location?
(c) When?
(4) (a) What radioactive materials are
involved?
(b) How much?
(c) What happened to them?
(5) What is being done now and who is doing
it?
(6) Who is in charge at the scene?
(7) Is the situation under control?
(8) What is the extent of danger to people
or to the environment?
(9) (a) Who else has been notified?
(b) By whom?
(c) When?
(10) Does the emergency involve military
aircraft or military equipment?
(11) Is a news release planned?
(12) What is the caller going to do .next?
(i.e., Who else is he going to call?)
(13) What assistance is requested of EPA?
Most notifications will be for emergencies
of such low consequence that no EPA response
will be required other than to prepare a
B-ll
-------
brief report acknowledging receipt of the
notification and a statement as to why field
response was not considered necessary. As
a general rule, field response will not
be necessary if there is no request for
response from a State or a Federal agency
and if conditions stated in Section II.B.2.d
for response without a request are not met.
If field response is recommended to the OD,
the recommended level of response will be
a judgment of the RRC based on (1) the
request, (2) the accident conditions, and
(3) the availability of EPA field response
teams and equipment in the time frame
needed. The teams and equipment available
for response and their normal lead time are
included in Appendix A to the EPA Plan [1].
g. Notification Procedures
The RRC, at the first opportunity, will
notify the OD of any requests for
radiological assistance or any reported
radiological emergency having the potential
for offsite releases or for which a press
release is planned.
If the RRC recommends field response by
EPA, he will notify the affected EPA
organizations to go on standby alert. If
field response is ordered, the RRC will also
notify the Regional Radiation Representative
and the Washington Office of Public Affairs.
During the process of accident response, the
RRC will keep abreast of field activities
and accident conditions through contacts
with the NRC EOC, the Federal Radiological
Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC),
the EPA Regional Radiation Representative,
and the EPA FRM.
h. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The EOC will be operated, if needed, by the
RRC. This involves posting and maintaining
maps of the response area, manning the
telephone, and maintaining a log of
communications and associated information.
B-12
-------
i. Documentation
The RRC will document requests for
assistance and notifications of radiological
emergencies. Copies of these reports
will be distributed to participating
organizations in EPA, and a copy will be
maintained in the ORP Analysis and Support
Division file.
Reports for which no response is recommended
should include the source and time of the
notification or request, the pertinent facts
about the emergency, and the reason for not
recommending response.
Reports of response activities should
include a summary of EPA responses and the
findings. Details of monitoring results or
data analyses should be contained in reports
of organizations performing those activities.
D. Field Response Manager (FRM)
The FRM is designated by the OD.
1. Responsibilities
The basic responsibilities of the FRM are to:
a. Direct and coordinate all the activities of
EPA personnel in the field in accordance
with the EPA Radiological Emergency Response
Plan and the FRERP.
b. Represent EPA in all phases of the on-scene
response. If the FRM is anyone other than
the OD of ORP and policy decisions or
commitment of additional resources are
involved, such decisions will be made only
with the prior approval of the OD. .Policy
decisions would include such things as
recommendations on protective actions and
cleanup standards, etc. OD approval is not
necessary for routine operations of the
Radiological Assistance Team. For example,
the authority to assign, deploy, and return
EPA staff and equipment committed to the
B-13
-------
response is delegated to the FRM for the
duration of the emergency, in whatever
manner he deems appropriate consistent with
Agency and Federal plans specified above.
c. Designate a Radiological Assistance Team
captain.
d. Maintain awareness of the emergency
conditions and responses and any changes in
them.
e. Represent EPA at the scene in relationships
with the State and other Federal agencies.
f. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) is not present, the FRM will arrange
for media briefings on EPA activities only.
If FEMA is present, FEMA will provide
briefings on all Federal activities. The
FRM will be required to provide input to
the FEMA briefings on EPA activities.
g. Provide frequent (not less than daily)
status reports to the Washington RRC and
to the Regional Radiation Representative.
These reports should be directed at defining
the consequences of the emergency for
purposes of determining appropriate
protective action recommendations.
2. Procedures
None required.
E. Technical Staff
The OD may assign ORP staff to assist State agencies
in organizing and interpreting monitoring data. Such staff
will be under the direction of the State agency and will follow
their procedures.
B-14
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III. Key Contacts for Radiological Emergencies
Office (FTS) Office (Comm.)
Home
EPA HEADQUARTERS
Harry W. Galley*
Joe E. Logsdon*
David E. Janes*
Sheldon Meyers, ORP/OD
Lee M. Thomas
J. Craig Potter, AA/A&R
Vaun Newill, AA/R&D
Erich W. Bretthauer, EMSL/LV 545
David Cohen, OPA
Edward Ohanian, ODW
Richard Cothern, ODW
Dona de Leon, OCL
Linda Strachan, OIL
EPA RESPONSE TEAMS
EERF, Montgomery, AL
Charles R. Porter 534-7615
**Charles Phillips 534-7615
ORP, Las Vegas
Wayne Bliss 545-2476
**William E. Moore 545-2464
ORD, Las Vegas
Charles F. Costa 545-2305
REGIONS
Byron Keene, Region 1 835-3234
**Paul Bedrosian 223-1915
24-hour Emergency Number 223-7265
Paul Giardina, Region 2 264-4418
24-hour Emergency Number
William Belanger, Region 3 597-4084
**Lewis Felleisen 597-8326
24-hour Emergency Number 597-9898
475-9626
475-9620
475-9626
475-9600
382-4700
382-7400
382-7676
545-2525
382-5589
382-7571
382-7584
382-5660
382-4454
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(702)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
(202)
475-9626
475-9620
475-9626
475-9600
382-4700
382-7400
382-7676
'798-2525
382-5589
382-7571
382-7584
382-5660
382-4454
(301)
(301)
(301)
(301)
(202)
(703)
(703)
(702)
(202)
(301)
(703)
(703)
(202)
926-4279
762-3192
251-6682
986-8621
456-1414
768-7294
848-2568
457-4964
965-3144
963-7794
524-7640
451-8744
965-5491
(205) 272-3402
(205) 272-3402
(702) 798-2476
(702) 798-2464
(205) 272-4714
(205) 277-8213
(702) 736-4182
(702) 451-7190
(702) 798-2305 (702) 435-8928
(617) 565-3234
(617) 223-1915
(617) 223-7265
(617) 729-8356
(617) 475-2668
(212) 264-4418 (212) 741-0137
(201) 548-8730 (516) 324-6694
(Weekends)
(215) 597-4084
(215) 597-8326
(215) 597-9898
(215) 565-0899
(215) 687-0763
* Designated EPA Radiological Response Coordinator
** Alternate
(Revised 10/86)
B-15
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III. Key Contacts for Radiological Emergencies (Continued)
Office (FTS) Office (Comm.)
H. Richard Payne, Region 4
**Charles Wakarao
24-hour Emergency Number
Larry Jensen, Region 5
**Les Johnson
24-hour Emergency Number
Henry D. May, Region 6
24-hour Emergency Number
William L. Brinck, Region 7
**Frank Tyler
24-hour Emergency Number
Milton Lammering, Region 8
24-hour Emergency Number
David L. Duncan, Region 9
24-hour Emergency Number
Jerry Leitch, Region 10
24-hour Emergency Number
OPERATIONS CENTERS
NRC
DOE
FEMA
257-3776
257-7259
257-4062
886-6175
886-3299
729-5319
729-2666
757-2893
757-2893
236-3778
564-1648
(404) 347-3776
(404) 347-7259
(404) 347-4062
(312) 886-6175
(312) 886-3299
(312) 353-2318
(214) 767-5319
(214) 767-2666
(913) 236-2893
(913) 236-2893
(913) 236-3778
(303) 293-1648
(303) 293-1788
454-8378
454-8131
399-7660
399-1263
(415) 974-8378
(415) 974-8131
(206) 442-7660
(206) 442-1263
Home
(404) 447-9480
(404) 373-6403
(312) 791-0064
(312) 560-0700
(800) 424-8802
(214) 239-4614
(816) 455-0205
(816) 236-2946
(303) 979-7346
(415) 820-5713
(206) 776-9523
(202) 951-0550
(301) 492-8893
(202) 586-8100
(202) 646-2400
(Revised 10/86)
B-16
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IV. References
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Radiological
Emergency Response Plan. Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Radiation Programs, Washington,
D.C. 20460, Jan. 30, 1981.
2. Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan,
Concurrency by All Twelve Federal Agencies and
Publication as an Operational Plan, F.R. Vol. 50,
No. 217, Nov. 8, 1985
B-17
«U.S. Government Printing Office : 1987 -716-002/60583
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