ML120170527

FEMA Fort Calhoun Station, Final Exercise Report, Exercise Date - August 30, 2011

ML120170527
Person / Time
Site:	Fort Calhoun
Issue date:	12/08/2011
From:	Freeman B US Dept of Homeland Security
To:	Collins E Division of Nuclear Materials Safety IV
Cecere, Bethanny NSIR/DPR 415-6754
References
Download: ML120170527 (23)

Text

Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station After Action Report/

Improvement Plan Drill Date - August 31, 2011 Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program Published December 08, 2011

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station After Action Report/Improvement Plan Published December 08, 2011 Contents Executive Summary 3 Section 1: Exercise Overview 4 1.1 Exercise Details 4 1.2 Exercise Planning Team Leadership 4 1.3 Participating Organizations 5 Section 2: Exercise Design Summary 7 2.1 Exercise Purpose and Design 7 2.2 Exercise Objectives, Capabilities and Activities 8 2.3 Scenario Summary 9 Section 3: Analysis of Capabilities 10 3.1 Drill Evaluation and Results 10 3.2 Summary Results of Drill Evaluation 10 3.3 Criteria Evaluation Summaries 12 3.3.1 Support Jurisdictions 12 3.3.1.1 Council Bluffs Ambulance 12 3.3.2 Nebraska Jurisdictions 12 3.3.2.1 University of Nebraska Medical Center 12 3.3.3 Risk Jurisdictions 14 3.3.3.1 Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue 14 Section 4: Conclusion 15 Appendix A: Drill Evaluators and Team Leaders 16 1

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

On August 30-31, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region VII, conducted out-of-sequence medical drills in the plume emergency planning zone (EPZ) around the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station. The purpose of these drills was to assess the level of State and local preparedness in responding to a radiological emergency. These drills were held in accordance with FEMA's policies and guidance concerning the exercise of State and local radiological emergency response plans and procedures.

The previous medical drills at these sites were conducted on July 21, 2009, for Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue and Council Bluffs Ambulance; and September 15, 2010, for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The qualifying emergency preparedness exercise for this Power Plant was conducted on July 22, 1981.

FEMA wishes to acknowledge the efforts of all who participated in and supported these drills. In the State of Nebraska, the Risk County of Washington and the University of Nebraska Medical Center participated. In the State of Iowa, the Risk County of Pottawattamie participated. The efforts of the utility, the State of Iowa and the State of Nebraska are also commended for their work on training and drill preparation.

Protecting the public health and safety is the full-time job of some of the exercise participants and an additional assigned responsibility for others. Still others have willingly sought this responsibility by volunteering to provide vital emergency services to their communities. A special thank you is once again extended to those invaluable volunteers. Cooperation and teamwork of all the participants were evident during these drills.

The State and local organizations demonstrated knowledge of their emergency response plans and procedures and adequately implemented them. No Areas Requiring Corrective Action (ARCAs) or Deficiencies were identified as a result of these drills. There were no previous ARCAs, nor any Deficiencies to be corrected during these drills.

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station SECTION 1: EXERCISE OVERVIEW 1.1 Exercise Details Exercise Name Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station Type of Exercise Drill Exercise Date August 31, 2011 Program Department of Homeland Security/FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Scenario Type Radiological Emergency 1.2 Exercise Planning Team Leadership Laurel Ryan Site Specialist Federal Emergency Management Agency/ US Dept of Homeland Security Technological Hazards Program Specialist 9221 Ward Parkway Suite 300 Kansas City, Missouri, 64114 816-283-7913 laurel.ryan@dhs.gov Bryan Cook State of Nebraska REP Planner Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Preparedness Planner 4

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station 1300 Military Road Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508 402-730-6189 bryan.cook@nebraska.gov Kathy Stodola State of Iowa REP Planner Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Radiological Emergency Preparedness Planner 7105 NW 70th Avenue Camp Dodge Johnston, Iowa, 50131 515-323-4320 kathy.stodola@iowa.gov Mark Reller Utility Representative Omaha Public Power District Senior Emergency Planning Specialist Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, FC-2-1 P. O. Box 550 Fort Calhoun , Nebraska, 68023 402-533-7314 mreller@oppd.com 1.3 Participating Organizations Agencies and organizations of the following jurisdictions participated in the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station drill:

State Jurisdictions Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division Risk Jurisdictions 5

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station Council Bluffs Ambulance Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue Support Jurisdictions University of Nebraska Medical Center 6

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station SECTION 2: EXERCISE DESIGN

SUMMARY

2.1 Exercise Purpose and Design The purpose of the drills conducted in association with the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station (FCNS) is to test and provide the opportunity to evaluate emergency plans, associated implementing procedures, facilities, and equipment of the emergency responders and supporting entities in the communities in the immediate vicinity of FCNS, specifically within the 10- mile emergency planning zone (EPZ).

Further, these drills test the FCNS emergency response community's ability to assess and respond to emergency conditions and coordinate efforts with other agencies for protection of the health and safety of the public.

The conduct and evaluation of these drills provide additional training for emergency response organization personnel as a means to enhance FCNS emergency response capability.

The purpose of these particular drills was to activate and evaluate portions of the Washington and Pottawattamie County Emergency Plans, and associated implementing procedures, in accordance with 44 CFR 350.

The scenario for this drill was developed by personnel at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, then was reviewed and approved for use by FEMA Region 7. The scenario was utilized by the exercise controllers and evaluators as the control mechanism for the conduct of the drill. The scenario for this drill was designed to depict a sequence of events during a radiological accident simulation at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, located near Fort Calhoun, in Washington County, Nebraska, that resulted in the need for the assessment and care of injured, and potentially contaminated victims.

The scenario design provided the basis to observe and evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of the Emergency Response Plans for Council Bluffs Ambulance, Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station 2.2 Exercise Objectives, Capabilities and Activities The Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station (FCNS) Emergency Preparedness Exercise & Drill Program objectives are based on the Federal requirements delineated in 44 CFR 350, as well as on the priorities and procedures detailed in the Radiological Emergency Preparedness plans for the State of Nebraska; the State of Iowa; Washington County in Nebraska; and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Additional guidance provided in NUREG-0654, NUREG-0696, and NUREG-0737, was utilized in developing these objectives. Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station (FCNS) emergency plan describes FCNS capability to respond effectively to a radiological emergency at the site, and provides a detailed description of FCNS interaction with Federal, State, and local government agencies and private organizations. The emergency plan provides for continuous emergency preparedness including the conduct of an annual exercise and preparatory drills.

The objective of this drill was to test the implementation of the plans and procedures of the participating agencies, and the capability of these agencies to conduct operations in accordance with these plans. This objective is further defined by the criteria evaluated for each participant.

These criteria are listed in Table 3.1.

The capabilities tested in this drill were related to medical care rendered during a radiological emergency, during which actual or possible radiological contamination requires the use of measures above those in non-radiological medical care. Each ambulance service and the hospital were evaluated based upon the plans and procedures which they have established for use in a radiological emergency.

These drills were performed out-of-sequence, which is not concurrent to a full scale exercise, nor in synchronized time with other sites. To compensate for the artificiality of an out-of-sequence drill, the activities for each evaluation included an allowance for simulation. This allowed for the evaluators to focus on the activities specified in the drill criteria, which are usually those least familiar to the exercise players. For example, each ambulance service was permitted to simulate the location of the accident site, and demonstrated all treatment at their ambulance stations, up to loading the patient into the ambulance, and short of actual transport to another site. These teams drive their vehicles to real emergency accident sites on a daily basis; their capabilities in this area were not in the focus of the evaluation.

All other aspects of treatment were performed, unless the controller and evaluator agreed to 8

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station allow simulation. An example of this was the agreement to allow for the simulation of the removal of the victims clothing, even though this is the action that would have taken place in a real world scenario. The evaluator confirmed this through interview, thus sparing the volunteer victim of an unnecessary and potentially embarrassing discomfort. None of the simulations compromised the ability to demonstrate and evaluate the objective of the drill.

2.3 Scenario Summary Due to a declaration of a General Emergency at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, evacuations have been implemented in both Washington and Pottawattamie Counties. During the evacuation in Pottawattamie County, an emergency worker is struck by a vehicle driven by another emergency worker assisting in the evacuation. The worker has no life threatening injuries, but requires medical assistance. The sub-area in which the worker was stationed is in the plume release pathway and radiological contamination is suspected. Council Bluffs Ambulance is the responding agency, providing initial care and transporting the victim to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a member of the Fort Calhoun Fire Department who was fighting a fire in the switchyard at the Fort Calhoun Station twisted his left knee and fell, possibly breaking his left wrist while bracing his fall. The Fort Calhoun switchyard is in the plume release pathway and radiological contamination is suspected. Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue is the responding agency, providing initial care and transporting the victim to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station SECTION 3: ANALYSIS OF CAPABILITIES 3.1 Drill Evaluation and Results Following are the results and findings of the evaluation for all off-site jurisdictions and functional entities which participated in the August 30-31, 2011 drill events in support of the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station.

Each jurisdiction and functional entity was evaluated on the basis of its demonstration of criteria contained in exercise evaluation areas delineated in Emergency Preparedness: Exercise Evaluation Methodology as printed in the Federal Register September 12, 2001 and April 25, 2002.

3.2 Summary Results of Drill Evaluation Drill criteria are listed by number and the demonstration status of those criteria is indicated by the use of the following letters:

M - Met (No Deficiency or ARCAs assessed and no unresolved ARCAs from prior drills)

D - Deficiency assessed A - Area Requiring Corrective Action (ARCA) assessed or unresolved ARCA(s) from prior drills)

N - Not Demonstrated (Reason explained in subsection B)

Criteria with no corresponding letter were not evaluated in this drill.

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station Table 3.1 - Summary of Drill Evaluation Council Bluffs Amb. Univ. of NE Med. Ctr.

DATE: 2011-08-31 FC Fire/ Rescue SITE: Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, NE M: Met, A: ARCA, D: Deficiency, P: Plan Issue, N: Not Demonstrated Emergency Operations Management Mobilization 1a1 Facilities 1b1 Direction and Control 1c1 Communications Equipment 1d1 Equip & Supplies to support operations 1e1 M M M Protective Action Decision Making Emergency Worker Exposure Control 2a1 Radiological Assessment and PARs 2b1 Decisions for the Plume Phase -PADs 2b2 PADs for protection of special populations 2c1 Rad Assessment and Decision making for the Ingestion Exposure Pathway 2d1 Rad Assessment and Decision making concerning Relocation, Reentry, and Return 2e1 Protective Action Implementation Implementation of emergency worker exposure control 3a1 M M M Implementation of KI decision 3b1 M M Implementation of protective actions for special populations - EOCs 3c1 Implementation of protective actions for Schools 3c2 Implementation of traffic and access control 3d1 Impediments to evacuation are identified and resolved 3d2 Implementation of ingestion pathway decisions - availability/use of info 3e1 Materials for Ingestion Pathway PADs are available 3e2 Implementation of relocation, re-entry, and return decisions. 3f1 Field Measurement and Analysis Adequate Equipment for Plume Phase Field Measurements 4a1 Field Teams obtain sufficient information 4a2 Field Teams Manage Sample Collection Appropriately 4a3 Post plume phase field measurements and sampling 4b1 Laboratory operations 4c1 Emergency Notification and Public Info Activation of the prompt alert and notification system 5a1 Activation of the prompt alert and notification system - Fast Breaker 5a2 Activation of the prompt alert and notification system - Exception areas 5a3 Emergency information and instructions for the public and the media 5b1 Support Operations/Facilities Mon / decon of evacuees and emergency workers, and registration of evacuees 6a1 Mon / decon of emergency worker equipment 6b1 Temporary care of evacuees 6c1 Transportation and treatment of contaminated injured individuals 6d1 M M M 11

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station 3.3 Criteria Evaluation Summaries 3.3.1 Support Jurisdictions 3.3.1.1 Council Bluffs Ambulance The Council Bluffs Ambulance crew demonstrated strong knowledge of dosimetry and radiation exposure control procedures.

In summary, the status of DHS/FEMA criteria for this location is as follows:

a. MET: 1.e.1, 3.a.1, 3.b.1, 6.d.1.

b. AREAS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION: None

c. DEFICIENCY: None

d. PLAN ISSUES: None

e. NOT DEMONSTRATED: None

f. PRIOR ISSUES - RESOLVED: None

g. PRIOR ISSUES - UNRESOLVED: None 3.3.2 Nebraska Jurisdictions 3.3.2.1 University of Nebraska Medical Center University of Nebraska Medical Center exhibited a strong commitment to patient care through the professionalism of its knowledgable medical and technical staff, along with its well designed and supplied decontamination facility. The technical evaluator identified some challenges that the team had in calibrating the portal monitor, and described techniques that will resolve those problems.

In summary, the status of DHS/FEMA criteria for this location is as follows:

a. MET: 1.e.1, 3.a.1, 6.d.1.

b. AREAS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION: None

c. DEFICIENCY: None

d. PLAN ISSUES: 6.d.1.

ISSUE NO.: 25-11-6d1-P-01 12

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station CRITERION: Facility/ORO has the appropriate space, adequate resources, and trained personnel to provide transport, monitoring, decontamination, and medical services to contaminated injured individuals. (NUREG-0654, F.2., H.10., K.5.a.b.,

L.1., 4)

CONDITION: The staff assigned to the portal monitoring initially had difficulty getting the portal to successfully pass the operability check with the check source.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: There were approximately 5 people standing in close proximity to the portal monitor during this process, and the check source which was used was also kept in close proximity (within 2 feet). A distance of approximately six feet should be kept between the portal and other people and the check source during the operability check process. The operability check included walking the check source through the portal at head, waist and feet level, along with placing the check source on the detectors on each side of the portal.

REFERENCE:

NUREG-0654, K.1.c., K.5.a., K.5.b.; UNMC Procedure for Radiation Monitoring Portal Set Up and Operability Check EFFECT: By keeping the check source in close proximity to the portal in between source checks the background the portal was detecting would be increased, which could cause it to fail to detect the check source.

CORRECTIVE ACTION DEMONSTRATED: The State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Medical Center revised their procedures to correct this issue, and retraining has been conducted. The revision includes:

1) Step 3 of the procedure has been revised to indicate that when performing the background count of the system, ensure that the check source be kept at least six (6) feet away from the portal monitor detectors.

2) The following notes have been added to Step 4 of the procedure pertaining to the operational check of the system:

NOTE 1: Ensure that other individuals maintain a distance of at least 6 feet away from the detectors for this testing.

NOTE 2: After each check, ensure that the check source is kept away at least 6 feet 13

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station from the detectors for at least 10 seconds to allow the portal monitor to reset to background radiation levels.

The individuals designated for performing the portal monitor setup have been trained on these revisions to the procedure.

Based on the information above, this planning issue is closed.

e. NOT DEMONSTRATED: None

f. PRIOR ISSUES - RESOLVED: None

g. PRIOR ISSUES - UNRESOLVED: None 3.3.3 Risk Jurisdictions 3.3.3.1 Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue personnel demonstrated excellent knowledge and practice of the procedures to use to provide patient care and transport while minimizing the risk of spreading contaimination from the plume exposure area. Their enthusiasm and committment as volunteers is commendable.

In summary, the status of DHS/FEMA criteria for this location is as follows:

a. MET: 1.e.1, 3.a.1, 3.b.1, 6.d.1.

b. AREAS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION: None

c. DEFICIENCY: None

d. PLAN ISSUES: None

e. NOT DEMONSTRATED: None

f. PRIOR ISSUES - RESOLVED: None

g. PRIOR ISSUES - UNRESOLVED: None 14

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station SECTION 4: CONCLUSION Based on the results of these drills, the offsite radiological emergency response plans and preparedness for the State of Nebraska and the State of Iowa and the affected local jurisdictions are deemed adequate to provide reasonable assurance that appropriate measures can be taken to protect the health and safety of the public in the event of a radiological emergency. Therefore, 44 CFR Part 350 approval of the offsite radiological emergency response plans and preparedness for the State of Nebraska and the State of Iowa, site-specific to the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, will remain in effect.

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After Action Report/Improvement Plan Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station APPENDIX A: DRILL EVALUATORS AND TEAM LEADERS DATE: 2011-08-31, SITE: Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, NE LOCATION EVALUATOR AGENCY University of Nebraska Medical Center *Laurel Ryan FEMA RVII Kim Steves Kansas Dept of Health Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue *Laurel Ryan FEMA RVII Kim Steves Kansas Dept of Health Council Bluffs Ambulance *Laurel Ryan FEMA RVII Kim Steves Kansas Dept of Health

• Team Leader 16

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