Nuclear power plants pose high risk if chemicals are exposed to those in surrounding communities and areas. This nuclear emergency level classification response system was firstly developed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to allow effective and urgent responses to ultimately control and minimise any detrimental effects that nuclear chemicals can have. These classifications come in four different categories – Unusual Event, Alert, Site Area Emergency (SAE), as well as General Emergency. Thus, each classification has differing characteristics and purposes, depending on the situation at hand. Every nuclear power plant has a different emergency response action plan, also depending on its structure, location and nature. They were developed by thorough discussion and planning with numerous authoritative parties such as local, state, federal agencies as well as other private and non-profit groups that are in association with emergency services. Today, nuclear emergency plans are continuously being developed over time to be improved for future serious events to keep communities and nuclear power plant working members safe. There is a high emphasis for the need of these emergency responses in case of future events. Thus, nuclear plants can, and have paid up to approximately $78 million to ensure that are required measurements are readily available, and that equipment is sufficient and safe. This is applicable for all nuclear power plants in the United States of America.
Unusual event
The notification of an unusual event is classified as the least alerting or serious nuclear emergency classification. This event does not particularly pose a risk on the power plant workers and surrounding public as it does not involve any nuclear chemicals. The exposure of radioactive material if present would be classified as minimal and therefore does not pose any health hazards. Usually there are no off-site chemical monitoring required in this type of event. Furthermore, common examples of unusual events might include a severe injury suffered by a worker or cases of chaotic weather. Being the least severe event, this ensures that the necessary first steps of any nuclear emergency response are formally carried out and documented. If an event goes beyond the severity of an unusual event, the next classification would be an Alert event. The recorded frequency of this type of event occurs one to two times per year.
Alert
An Alert emergency response is followed by an unusual event. This is characterised by the potential threat towards a power plant’s overall safety due to damaged equipment. Similarly, it does not require an emergency response by the public, however emergency agencies and power plant employees are still informed to address the event at hand. Therefore, there is no triggering of a siren to the public. Nuclear chemicals might be released but only at a very minimal level, which is easily controlled and rectified. Therefore, offsite monitoring is required. Furthermore, other secondary or back-up power plants are still functional instead of the primary power plant that is potentially damaged. Still classified as a minor emergency event response, an alert response ensures that all members and other offsite agencies are promptly and provided necessary information to be ready to take further action if the incident escalates more severely than present if needed. However generally, a public response is not required. But measurements are taken place to keep the public safe. The recorded frequency of this type of event occurs once every ten to one hundred years.