ML13308A712
| ML13308A712 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | San Onofre  |
| Issue date: | 06/26/1981 |
| From: | Hunt J SAN DIEGO, CA |
| To: | Grimes B NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML13308A710 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8108120058 | |
| Download: ML13308A712 (2) | |
Text
77 OIVE IS CARLSBAD Is CHULA VISTA CORONADO o
0 Unified San Diego County COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO DEL MAR Emergency Services Organization EL CAJON ESCONDIDO GC IMPERIAL BEACH 5201-Q RUFFIN ROAD SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 921238 LAMESA OFFICE 565+3490 LEMON GROVE NATIONAL CITY OF OCEANSIDE DISASTER SAN DIEGO PREPAREDNESS SAN MARCOS VISTA June 26, 1981 Mr. Brian Grimes Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20472
Dear Mr. Grimes,
San Diego County has recently received a copy of the memo regarding the status of local emergency preparedness for the San Onofre Nuclear Generat ing Station (Units 2 and 3) which was sent to you by John Dickey on June 3.
I am writing to express our concern regarding some of the statements con tained in the memo. We are anxious that you consider these comments and those of the other involved jurisdictions prior to making any decisions or statements regarding our ability to respond to an incident at San Onofre.
Our primary concern is FEMA's conclusion that "State and local government radiological emergency response plans are minimally adequate.
- However, until corrective actions have been taken, the offsite capabilities for im plementation of the plans are not considered adequate."
This conclusion is consistent with neither the FEMA "Evaluation Findings--San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Offsite Emergency Response Plans Exercise" dated May 13, 1980 nor the evaluative comments made at the several meetings-andcritiques held following the exercise. Transcripts of some of the critiques were made and their review substantiated this.
The tone of the Findings document is reflective of the following excerpts:
"San Diego County demonstrated an excellent ability to alert, notify, and mobilize emergency personnel.
Communications Center personnel were very familiar with procedures and executed them in a timely fashion."
"Overall, each jurisdiction demonstrated an active, dynamic, and highly enthusiastic effort during the exercise. General disaster response procedures and participant play were found to be very good, demonstrating a capability to handle all play related to the exercise."
"The (San Diego) County, where observed, demonstrated an acceptable ability to execute emergency response plans to protect the public."
9109120058 81723 PDR ADOCK 05000206 F
-2 These comments, and the remainder of the document, do not support the "inadequate level of preparedness" set forth in the memo.
The memo mentions a concern about communications, when in fact, we had a RACES operator at the EOF, one at the Media Center, and an Air Force satellite communications system at the EOF. The Air Force system makes available to all of the players a multifaceted network which will provide communication anywhere in the Country, whether or not landlines are available. The RACES operators and the Air Force system are available at anytime there might be an incident.
There is also a concern expressed about radiological training, which we agree is a most important aspect of readiness. In view of this, it is important that you realize that, in addition'to other radiological training, we regularly train all fire department staffs in radiological monitoring, as well as Health Department employees.
Involved County departments and other agencies also participated in a week long training session by Rad iation Management Corporation in April.
We agree that some changes are required in our plans and procedures. This became clear during the exercise. As you know, exercises are held as a part of the ongoing planning process in order to test plans and provide for their correction and improvement. However, we do not feel-that require ments for plan improvements negate our basic disaster responsecapability, which FEMA has acknowledged.
Also, the changes in plans and coordination of the affected jurisdictions are being addressed through the recently formed Inter-jurisdictional Planning Committee, the membership of which is composed of the jurisdictions and the Marine Corps and the Department of State Parks and Beaches. -Through this Committee, we expect to maximize the coordination between the member agencies, increase the general level of preparedness, provide interface of procedures, and, in general, provide the best level of protection for the public.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, 7JAMES W. HUNT Manager, Office of Disaster Preparedness JWH:MW:dl cc:
Federal Emergency Management Agency County of Orange, Emergency Management Division City of San Clemente City of San Juan Capistrano USMC, Camp Pendleton San Onofre State Parks and Beaches Southern California Edison Company State Office of Emergency Services