ML092710249
| ML092710249 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Grand Gulf  |
| Issue date: | 09/21/2009 |
| From: | Jones G US Dept of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| To: | Meyers J Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, State of LA, Dept of Environmental Quality |
| References | |
| Download: ML092710249 (2) | |
Text
Jeffrey P. Meyers, Administrator Radiation Control Program Director September 21, 2009 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Attention: OEC-ERSD P.O. Box 4312 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4312
Dear Mr. Meyers:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Region 6 800 North loop 288 Denton, TX 76209-3698 FEMA This letter officially informs you of the Federal Emergency Management Agency identification of a Deficiency which occurred during the Grand Gulf Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise conducted on September 9,2009. This issue was discussed during the post exercise participants briefing on Septe:.nber 10,2009.
The Deficiency is being assessed against Tensas Parish under evaluation criteria 5.a.l.
Activation of the Prompt Alert and Notification System.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) equipment used to transmit the EAS message from the radio station (KNOE) is located in a studio that is not equipped with an uninterruptible power supply.
The radio station moved to a new location and there is no back-up power supply. If the parish needed to alert the public during an emergency, the EAS message would not be broadcast in a timely manner during a power outage.
The requirement for back-up power is addressed in NUREG 0654, FEMA REP 1, Appendix 3.
It states, "The prompt notification scheme shall include the capability of local and state agencies to provide information promptly over radio and TVat the time of activation of the alerting signal. The communications system to mobilize forces and warn the public is dependent upon communication between the nuclear power facility and government authorities (federal, state and local). The system must be capable of24-hour coverage at the facility and primary points; have capability for immediate dissemination of information; and receipt and acknowledgement of alert and warning messages on a 24-hour basis. The system should be able tofunction not withstanding adverse environmental conditions, such as floods and power outages. "
We have thoroughly reviewed and discussed this issue with DHS-FEMA Headquarters and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). FEMA deiines a Deficiency as "... an observed or identified inadequacy of organizational peiformance in an exercise that could cause afinding that off-site emergency preparedness is not adequate to provide reasonable assurance that appropriate measures can be taken in the event of a radiological emergency to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity ofa nuclear power plant. "
1,ww.Jcma.gov
Mr. Jeffrey P. Meyers September 21, 2009 Page 2 Because of the potential impact on public health and safety, this situation should be corrected within 120 days of the exercise date through appropriate remedial actions. Please let us know the timing of these remedial actions and the identities of the Tensas Parish and radio station participants who will be involved.
Your reply is required within ten days from the date of this letter, and your cooperation in this matter is sincerely appreciated. Please contact Lisa Hammond, Regional Assistance Committee Chair, at (940) 898-5199 with any questions relating to this letter.
cc:
Vanessa Quinn - FEMA HQ Elmo Collins - NRC Region IV Rick Foster - Tensas Parish f
Sincerely,
/i!<<A~4 Gary Jones Acting Regional Administrator