ML073250107
| ML073250107 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 10/31/2007 |
| From: | Sutton A Westchester County, NY, Dept of Emergency Services |
| To: | Thomson R NRC/RGN-II, US Dept of Homeland Security |
| References | |
| Download: ML073250107 (1) | |
Text
Andrew J. Spano Anthony W. Sutton County Executive Commissioner Department of Emergency Services 4 Dana Road Telephone: (914) 231-1851 Valhalla, New York 10595 aws1@westchestergov.com FAX: (914) 231-1622 October 31, 2007 Ms. Rebecca S. Thomson RAC Chair & Branch Chief, REP Program-FEMA Region II United States Department of Homeland Security 26 Federal Plaza, 13th Floor New York, NY 10278
Dear Ms Thompson,
It was a pleasure to have you observe the Indian Point Practice on October 24th in the Westchester County Emergency Operations Facility. I trust that during your observations, you witnessed first hand how seriously we treat our responsibility to protect the health and welfare of our citizens. I trust also, that you noted the frustration of our staff with the initial failure of the Radiological Emergency Communications System and the level of engagement exhibited by Entergys staff on the executive hotline. It was evident that the scenario was not well planned and that the planning suffered from a lack of attention to detail.
While Entergys performance in this practice is reason for concern, our deeper worry lies with the lack of scenario knowledge and level of engagement of the company players, both on the executive phone line and in our EOC. We cannot help but surmise that Entergys recent efforts to streamline and downsize are impacting its ability to perform adequately during emergency drills. Entergy officials deny that its realignment will have any untoward effect on its offsite emergency efforts.
County Executive Andrew Spano demands that County Officials practice as if it was real. Entergy assures us that they share the same philosophy. Looking back over my years involved in these drills, it isnt hard for me to recognize that the current caliber of the Entergy staff is not comparable to those participating in past drills. The one constant over the years is the unreliability of the RECs line and executive hotline.
I would be remiss in my duties if I did not bring these concerns to FEMA, the NRC and the state to ask that you investigate and monitor the effects that Entergys realignment has on both internal emergency management capacity and offsite emergency programs as well.
Please dont hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss my concerns further. Thank you again for observing the drill in our facility.
Sincerely yours, Anthony W. Sutton, Commissioner CC: County Executive Spano Samuel J. Collins, NRC John R. Gibb, NYSEMO Michael Balboni, NYS Deputy Secretary for Public Safety