ML18046B141
| ML18046B141 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 11/05/1981 |
| From: | Levin C SENATE |
| To: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8112180203 | |
| Download: ML18046B141 (34) | |
Text
.... 1 140 RUSSELL BUILDING 0.C.
(202) 224-622 I 20510
- COMMITTEES1 ARMED SERVICES GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SMALL BUSINESS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 ./PRINCIPAL STAFF j/ DIR
)E&TI DEP&oc .File James Keppler, Director Nuclear Regulatory Corrunission Region* 3 *
- Off ice of Inspection and Enforcement 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Dear Mr. Keppler:
I am writing on behalf of Lad z:ack .*who contacted my off ice regarding the Palisades Atomic Plant near Covert~ Michigan.
Mr. Zack owns a summer cottage* near the Palisades Atomic Plant and is concerned ci.bout the plant's warning system. According to M~. Zack, there have been malfunction problems with. the system causing the emergency warning sirens to go off.
Mr. Zack is woriied about the credibili~y of the warning system. Please refer to the enclosed letter for more details.
I would appreciate your responding to Mr.
Zack's inquiry. Please submit your reply to my Grand Rapids office, attention Becky Blood.
Thank you for_ your cooperation and attention to this matter.
n*L Carl Levin
.l bb:
Enclosure 8112180203 811105 PDR ADOCK 05000255 H . PD~
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STATE OFFJ._CES
! GRAND RAPIDS SAGINAW WARREN ALPENA DETROIT ESCANABA
( 180 NORTH DIVISION 500 FEDERAL STREET 30500 VAN DYKE 106 WATER STREET 1860 MCNAMARA BUILDING 2409 FIRST AVENUE, N.
ESCANABA, Ml. 49829 SUITE 101 P.O. Box 817 RoaM 205 ALPENA, Ml. 49707 DETROIT. Ml. 48226 GRAND RAPIDS, Ml.* 49503 SAGINAW, Ml. 48606 WARREN, Ml. 48093 (517) 356-6122 (313) 226-6020 (906) 789-0052 (616) 456-2531 (517) 754-2494 (313) 751-0477
..-. e Pawleys Island, s. c.
Sept. 30, 1981
~
Hen. Sen. Carl Levin (C?py: Nuclear Regulatery Ccm:aission 33Zl Dirksen Building p a.lis1:1.cles AtQmi:c***pia:nt) w~shingten, D.C. 20510
Dear Sir:
We have a sunmer cottage loca.ted abiJut 2 miles from the Palisades Atomic Plant near Covert, J.iichig.an. Several times this sununer we were startled by tb" tme.xplaineci squealing of the e.:nergency warning sirens. Tolepbcmo
~c.lls to police and fire R.uthoritieB, the Scuth Eaven, Mich. newspaper anci
/
j E;;,..e.io :3tatier. H.TOR brollf;ht :!lt) .inswer a.nC. n@ annGunc:1nent was l.laS.e over the
'* system G:!fter the :sirens st(lpped wailing.
A few clays later a PA anneuncement GVer th~ system said that hereafter am the first Saturday Gf ea:.ch month there will be a test.
Then en Sept. 9, 1981, a Wedne3riay, the sirens waileci again. We listened f cr an an.~aunc~.ment amd again, nane ~s f orthceming. Telephone calls to the s~e agtmcies f~und them ag4::.n unaware of the reason fer the wailing sirens, I obtained th~ phene number ef the Palisaa.cics plant and called it, I asked if tho plant bc.d blewn up or the re~sEm for the siren wails... The l&.dy whf) &nswerecl the phone said. the plant had nCJt *olewn up and gave ;:ne the number of the Covert (Hieb.) Fire Departnent which, 5he 3aid., centrols the sirens.
A call there dis.clos~<il. that sc.mething had gs.n~ ':ll"or;6 with th" electronic syste-cl but that an an.rn~uncc;uent Would follow the wailing. t1a &nn"1unC1l.:ient ca.me*
It seems ts me that a ~~nsitive tning Buch as a nuclear plant should have a
- g~ad wqrning Bystaii if it dsesn't have q goo& perfarm.;.nce*record--accoraing to
µublisr,ed re1-.srts en Pal.isa<Jes-sc that we den 't get the hell ~rB:j_ 011t 1>f us every tine the sirens go off, not kn awing wtiether the electronic syste:ri. is :ntl-functic>inin.g ~r whether the daan thing has the China Syndrome.
Can't s0mebedy~the fire department or Palisades~hire a g~od electrician?
t~1:~'
Led zacll/
2919 Hieh:ay Lc.ep Pawleys Island, s.c. 29585
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The Honorable Carl Levin -2~:
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"_,.. -M. *Jury, Consumers Power, Co~y P:. *Ellsw:orth, Office . of the GQvernor C. Kammer~r, OCA v.* Stello~. DEOO W. Dircks.
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- I f'alh:aae,1 Nutlear f'larrt: A Out* ~. Rox 1 !'4. C:o**trf't. Ml C9043 OctobC'r 13, 1981 Lad Zack 2919 Mid'l.'ay Toop Pavleys Island, SC 29585
Dear Mr Zack:
Plcnse nccepl tn..V npolog:i e~ to you and your f'ami ly for nny i nconve11i encc or 1ippreher1sion t.l1at may lm**c been CHU!ied l>y unplnnned s:i.r('n Sff\1ndinu;s tllis pn.st su:runer outside the Palif5fdes J:uc1ear Pl&nt.
I rcccive<J a copy of' your September 30,. 1981 letter t.o Senat.or J...evin, and decided to send to you a reply in hope& t.hat vc can est.ablish better com:nlm-icati ons in the fut. ure.
I must point. out, hovever, that your letter contains some ractu~l errors t.ha.t need correction. UnpJnnned siren soundings occurred not several times, but rather tvic-e. On July 3 nnd September 9. 1961, the sirens sounded 60 and 25 seconds, respectively. For your in1'ormat.ion. a three to f'ivc minute siren tone is the nationnlly preseribed ~ignsl f'or sll (!!ll(ffE;encit>s,, inclurJing those at nuclear pl W1t.s.
As a result of" the t.wo unpJRnned soundings,. Oon~u::iers T'over is replacing the electrical eq-ui pment used by Covert 'fo~mi:ihip Firemen at the To*nship Fi re Hall to activate the sirens.
Art.er the tvo unplanned sournli ngs, no 1mblic sa.fcty or news agency hnd any inrnedi ate information beca1i,-;e t.l'e sounn i ngs were {lCcincnla1. JJt...ui there been a real emergency* preliminary j nf'orrnation vould liave b~tn supplied to tl1em ~s outlined in extensive ~mergcncy plans.
The regularly scheduled tcr.ts at noon (Jri the :first $ntw-lla.y of each month have been announced in advance not over the 'Warning system, but rather through regulaT ncvs releases each month to all lOC"al ncvs media.
(.
In your Jetter, you refer to question!; *ru:; to '-"hether the p)nnt mif.!;ht blow up, prcsu:nably* H.Y.e B.n &tom l*:.~*::!lb. Th:is is uot po~;~il,le, dne 'lo tllt"! fact trmt the Ul'"Rn:i. un \l!'.cd in nuc) <'ar pJ~ntn is not c-nri cl;ed enough to ri,*oduce o nuc) <' nr eY.p)osion.
I ...-ou)n Jii:c to 11oiut 0\lt that tli~ i;Lren e.y~t.em n.ro1md Pnlir.uues \.ij)) l1c .m;e-
- f'ul in e:r.ert;encies ~ur:h es tc:.;:~rindoes, sn<J..-st.urJ!lS, trn:ln dt'.rt:ii);.1(mt.-c:b~r::ii-.cnl spill c.c:c:idents n~1d otl1er Ctt1C'Tf.eucics, l>:.>th 1:wr.-;riode and nat.ura1.
FinBlly, :plc-f:Sc f'c*el f'r~e to call me '<1udng bu£inc*st; hours at (616) .76};~8913;
'extension 333. if" you have &ny concerns or ql~c:.tions.
Sincerely y<?vr~,
Kelly M F&.rr Publl c Affn.i rs Di rector P&lis&des J~uclear Plant cc: Honorable f.cnntor Carl Levin I
Federal Emergency Management Agency.-:-----
Washington, D.C. 20472 lEHQ~
.. ~*-:_-.
- MEMORANDUM FDR: Brian Grimes Director FROM: Robert T. Jaska-~
Acting Director fo*~Olf:::z:~/
Radiological Emergency redness Division Federal Emergency Mana Agency
SUBJECT:
Palisades Exercise Evaluation
.I am hereby transmitting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) evaluation of the Palisades Exercise held on December 9, 1980, for general use and distribution as appropriate. FEMA will incorporate this evaluation into its overall preparedness findings under 44 CFR 350.
,~fiR09280355 810918
- ~ ADOCK 05000255 PDR
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l POST~EXERCISE EVALUATION STATE OF MICHIGAN AND VAN BUREN, ALLEGAN, AND BERRIEN COUNTIES EXERCISE OF RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS FOR PALISADES NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN December 9, 1980 PREPARED BY: .
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PLANS AND PREPAREDNESS DIVISION, REGION V FEDERAL CENTER BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN 49016
/~D1R09280359 810918 IF ADOCK 05000255
. PDR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~ . -* -
I. INTRODUCTION ********************.********************** ** 1
- 1. FEMA Responsibilities - Role of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) .****************** 1
- 2. Exercise Objectives ****************************.*.** l
- 3. Critique ......................*..................... 2
- 4. Public Meeti:ng ...................................... 2
- 5. RAC Evaluation Objectives **...*.****..**.*********.* 2
- 6. Participating State and Local Organizations .******** 2
- 7. Federal Observer Team *..*****************.********** 3
- 8. Ev~luation Criteria *********.*********************** 4
- 9. Remedial Action Procedures **.*********** ~ *********** 4
- l O. Review and Approval Procedures ...................... 4 IL EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
................... ~ ................... 6 III. EXERCISE SCENARIO *.. ; .*.*.**************.*.****..* ~ ..*.* ?
Synopsis and Critique *.*..*...*.**..*****.**.*.**..* 7 Recommendati ens *.**.*.********** ~ *********..****.** l 0 IV. EVALUATIONS ***.******.*****..**... *****.*****....***.**.* 11 A. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES (ORGANIZATIONAL CONTROL) ... -. ~ ....... ~ ............................... 11*
- State ............................. *................ 11
- Recommendati ens ******************.*****.******* ~. 11 Allegan, Van Buren~* Berrien Counties ***.********* 11 B. ON-SITE EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION (A licensee .
related function only) ........................... 12 C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES~ .****.*.** 13 State/Loca 1 ******.**. ~ ****.*****.*****.*. *.******** 13
- D. EMERGENCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ******************** 14 State/Local **********.*.* .****.***.*******.***.*** 14 E. NOTIFICATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES **.*.*.**.***.** 15 State/Local *...*.*..*....*...***...***...*..**... 15 Recommendati ens *.*.*..*..*.....*********...****.. 15 A11 egan County *******.***..**** ************.****..* 15 Recommendati ens .*****.**.*..************.******** 15
F. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS **....**..****.*** ~ ****.**** 16 State/Van Buren County *******************.******** 16 Reconunendations ... ............................... .. 16 Berri en County ................................. ~ **** 16 G. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION *************.**.**. 17 Joint Public Information Center (JPIC) ** ; .****.**. 17 Recommendations ***.***.******* ~ .****.****.*..***.* 17 H. EMERGENCY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. **.**...*.***...* 18 State EOF/Van Buren County EOC *...**..*..*...*.*.. 18 Allegan *county EOC *...**...*.....*..*.*..*...**... 18 Berri en County EOC ......*....*****..*...........** 18 I. ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT~ *.**.***.*.*.***..*....*.**.*.** 19 State ..................... ~ ....................... 19 Van Buren County ***...*.*.....**.*.*.*..**.. *.*..**. 19 A11 egan County ..................................... 19 J. PROTECTIVE RESPONSE *..*.***.**** ; .***..***.*.....**. 20 State/Local .....***..**.*..****.**....*... *...**..** 20 State/Van Buren County ***..****. _*.......*..*.*.** 20 Al 1egan County *..........*.**.*..*.......... *.* .... 20 K. RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE CONTROL. *******...*.....*..... 21.
State/loca 1 **....* **. *........* : *...*....*.......... 21 L. MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT ......*..*....*..... 22 State/Loca 1 ..*..*........ *....*....*. *............*.. 22*
M. RE-ENTRY AND RECOVERY ....**..*.**..*...*.*....*..... 23 State/Local ; ....**.*..*.*...*..*....*.*..........* 23 N. EXERCISES AND DRILLS ......**.****.*****.***...* : ..** 24 Recommendation ..*....*.*......****.*..**...*...*.. 24
- 0. RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING *.......*... 25 Recommendation *...*....*......*..*................ 25
- l. .INTRODUCTION
.On December 7, 1979, the President directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume lead responsibility for all off-site nuclear planning and response.
- 1. FEMA's immediate basic responsibilities in Fixed. Nuclear Facility-Radiological Emergency Planning include:
- a. Taking the lead in off-site emergency planning and
- review and evaluation of State and local government emergency plans for adequacy.
- b. Determining whether the plans can be implemented, based upon obse~vation and evaluation of exercises conducted in these jurisdictions.
- c. Coordinating the activities of all ~f the involved Federal and volunteer agencies:
( l) Federa 1 Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA)
- (2) *.Nuclear* Regulatory Commission (NRC)
( 3) .En vi ronmenta 1 Protection Agency (EPA)
(4) .
- Department of Energy (DOE)
(5) Department of Health and Human ~ervices (HHS)
(6) Department of Transportation (DOT)
(7) Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Representatives of these agencies serve as members .of the Reg ion a 1 Advisory Corrmi ttee (RAC) .which is chaired by i=EMA. .
Formal submission of emergency plans to the RAC by the States*
and involved local jurisdictions is, in each case, followed closely by the exercising, critiquing,. and evaluation of those plans. A follow-up public meeting is held to acquaint the citizenry with contents ~f the plans, answer questions about*
them ~nd receive suggestions on the plans.
- 2. A radiological emergency exercise was conducted December 9, 1980 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1 :00 p.m. by the State of Michigan and Van Buren, Berrien and Allegan Counties to assess the adequacy of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and preparations to protect the public in the event of a radiological emergency involving the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Consumers Power Company near Bridgman, Michigan.
3.
A critique of the December 9 exercise was held at 10:00 a.m.,
December 10, 1980, at the Van Buren Skills Center, Lawrence,
- Michigan. *
- 4. A public meeting was conducted at 7:00 p.m., December 10, 1980, at the Van Buren Skills Center, Lawrence, Michigan.
- 5. General RAC objectives for the operational phase of the plans were to exercise and evaluate the following elements as described in the All-State Letter to State Emergency Services Directors in Region V, August 28, 1980:
Corrununications and Warning Accident Assessment Capability of Field Assessment Teams Use of Protective Action Guides (PAG's)
Public Information Evacuation Methodology that would be used Provisions for Re-entry and Recovery of the Affected Area Direction and Control Corrunents on those general areas follow. The basic planning document on which the State and local plans were developed was NU~EG 0654-FEMA* REP-1.
- 6. Participating State organizations included:
- a. The Emergency Services Division, Michigan State Police (MSP) and other involved State agencies, located at the State Near Scene Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 6605 West 138th Avenue, Saugatuck, Michigan.
- b. The Van Buren County Emergency Services Agencies, located at the Van Buren County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at.
205 South Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, Michigan.
- c. The Allegan County Emergency Services Agencies, located at the Allegan County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), at 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, Michigan.
- d. The Berrien County Emergency Services agencies,- located at the Berrien County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 919 Port Street, St. Joseph, Michigan.
- e. Consumers Power Company, at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, near Bridgman, Michigan.
2
7.
Federal Observers were:
OBSERVER AGENCY SITE FUNCTION.
- l. P. Mc Co 11 ough FEMA Overview RAC Chairman
- 2. D.Bement FEMA Overview EMS/Michigan
- 3. F. Finch FEMA Overview Reg. V, Chicago
- 7. B. Grant NRC State On-Scene EOC Accident Assessment Protective Action Guides
- 8. H. King FEMA Joint Press Info. Public Information Ctr.
- Evacuation, and Re-entry/Recovery
- 18. W. Curtis FEMA/ARC Van Buren Co. EOC Host Center American Red Cross- Host Centers Paw Paw, Michigan Trinity Lutheran Church, Paw Paw, Michigan Lawrence, Michigan Fire Department
- 19. G. Rapp FEMA A11 egan Co. EOC Decontamination Center Saugatuck High Host Center School-Saugatuck, Michigan
8.
Major functions witnessed by Federal observers were evaluated in
-accordance with the fo 11 owing criteria:
Capability outstanding;excellent demonstration.
Capability good; exceeds ~inimum standards - some improvements recommended.
Capability acceptable; meets minimum standards - significant improvements needed.
Capability weak; does not meet minimum standards - significant improvements needed.
Capability not demonstrated or lacking.
- 9. State and local jurisdictions are required to take remedial actions responsive, on a point-by-point basis, to the formal recommenda-tions of the RAC. One month from receipt of this document State and local jurisdictions should submit to the RAC the corrective measures they have taken or intend .to take. If remedial actions cannot be instituted immediately, then a detailed plan scheduling and implementing remedial actions must be provided.
- Recommendations for correcting deficierices are listed in continuing numerical sequence following the critique of each observed function.
Herein is an example of the format to be used when indicating remedial actions.
CRITIQUE: "The exercise was terminated without proper reduction from the 'General Emergency' classification."
Sample:* RECOMMENDATION #1 - Remedial Action:
Exercise Controllers have been directed to terminate future exercises after the nuclear plant is released from "General Emergency" status and appropriate re-entry and recovery actions are taken according to State and local plans and procedures.
- 10. The Regional Director of FEMA is responsible for certifying to the FEMA Associate Director, Radiological Emergency Planning, Washington, D.C., that any deficiencies noted in the exercise have been corrected and such corrections incorporated in the plan.
A State which seeks review and approval by FEMA of its plan, with annexes, shall submit an application for review and approval to the FEMA Regional Director of the Region in which the State is located. The application, in the form of a letter from the Governor,or other State official as the Governor may designate, shall contain one copy of the completed State plan with an indication that deficiences have been corrected.
A
Upon receipt of a State plan from the Regional Director, the*
Associate Director shall cause copies of the plan, together with the Regional Director's evaluation, to be distribut~d to the members of the Federal Interagency Central Coordinating Committee (FICCC) and other FEMA offices with appropriate guidance relative to their assistance in the FEMA review process as described in 44 CFR Part 350, Federal Register, Volume 45, Number 123, Tuesday, June 24, 1980 (R~view and Approval of State and local Radiological Emergency Plans and Preparedness). The Associate Director shall conduct such review of the State plan as deemed necessary prior to its being forwarded to the appropriate NRC licensing bodies.
II. EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The consensus view of the Federal Observer Team indicated that the objective of the exercise, to demonstrate the adequacy of the State of Michigan and Van Buren, Allegan, and Berrien Counties Peacetime Radiological Emergency Response Plans in support of the Palisades Power Plant, operated by Consumers Power Company near Bridgman, Michigan, was achiev~d in outstanding fashion.
Evaluators were duly impressed with the highly professional attitude demonstrated by participants at all levels of government throughout the exercise. A detennining factor in the success of the exercise was the skillful leadership of appointed and elected officials responsible for the public's health and safety. *
- Unquestionably, in the opinion of the observers, the public could be protected in the event of a nuclear accident at the Palisades Nuclear Power
- Plant based on the exercise performance.
Local hospital .officials are to be complimented for their participation and performance of Radiological Health capabilities.
The 'exercise does, however, point up a need to do a better job of educating the public in what to do in case of a nuclear emergency.
It is also felt that consideration should be given to establishing a Joint Public Information Center at Lake Michigan College near Benton Harbor for both the Palisades and Donald C. Cook Nuclear*Power Plants.
III. EXERCISE SCENARIO SYNOPSIS AND CRITIQUE:
At approximately 12:10 a.m., December 9, 1980, two pressurized.heater seals commenced leaking. During routine primary coolant system leak rate determination (Procedure D-W-1), a 20 GPM unidentified field leak rate was determined. Investigation inside containment verified pressurizer heater seal leaks. Preparations were underway to shutdown the reactor. At 3:30 a.m, an UNUSUAL EVENT was declared and required notifications were made.
- At approximately 4:30 a.m. the primary coolant system leak rate was determined to be 55 GPM. The charging pump P-55-C was down for maintenance.
The containment radiation monitors (RIA-1805, RIA-1806) indicated an increase by a factor of 10. The containment sump level was verified to be increasing by level indicator alarms, LIA-0358, LIA-0359 and level switches, LS-0358, LS-0360. At the same time (4:30 a.m.), orderly shutdown at two percent per minute commenced per ONP 23. The emergency classification was
.upgraded to ALERT. The Technical Support Center and Operations Support Center were .activated. An individual was dispatched to activate the Emergency Operations Facility. The following meteorological information was provided to off-site agencies:
- Wind Directi-0n From 2000 blowing to 200 Wind Speed 6.7 meters per second Temperature -7.aoc (18° F), T = .4° C/50 meters Overcase Stability Condition o*
At 5:00 a.m., with reactor power at 40 percent, plant Operations Department took feed pump A off line prematurely and the reactor tripped.
At 7:00 a.m., a plant cool down was commenced. *Plant continued. updates to
- off-site agencies. Cooldown continued and the leak rate remained constant.
Notification was received by Van Buren County Sheriff Department and South Haven MSP Post of the UNUSUAL EVENT at 3:30 a.m. MSP passed the information to Lansing Operations for relay to Emergency Services Division and Radiological Health Division, Department of Public Health.
ALERT status at 4:30 a.m. was received by Van Buren County ESD and MSP (South Haven), who notified Lansing and *appropriate emergency response personnel who were dispatched to the site from MSP, Michigan Departme~t of Public Health, and the Governor's Office. The Governor's Office was *
- requested to prepare a State of Disaster declaration. The State EOC was a_cti vated by 6 :-mfa .m.
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Department activated the County EOC and received periodic updates from the plant. Allegan and Berri~n Counties were notified of the situation by Van Buren County and passed on updates
from the plant. Emergency response personnel were mobilized and news releases were prepared in the EOC for release to the public .. A State of Emergency was declared by the Van Buren County Chairperson at 6:00 a.m.
Allegan and Berrien Counties obtained a declaration also and had the Allegan and Berrien County EOCs activated at 6:30 a.m.
The RHD/DPH monitoring teams arrived at 7:00 a.m. and started monitoring operations* near the site boundary and determined no releases were being made off-site. The State Near Scene EOC was activated at Saugatuck MSP and was operational by 7:30 a.m. Communications were established with the SEOC, the EOF, and the three county EOCs. At 8:00 a.m.,
the Governor's Office declared a State of Disaster and issued a news release to the media. At 8:15 a.m., the Joint Press Information Center (JPIC) was operational. Exercise participants arrived and were briefed on the simulated events. They were not informed of forthcoming scenario actions which were kept confidential. -
The multiple pressurizer heater seals failed at 8:30 a.m. Pressurizer level fell, the charging pump was unable to keep up with the leak rate.
The containment sunip was dumped to the dirty waste tank in the Auxiliary Building. CAM monitors RIA-1805 and RIA-1806 were in high alarm .. A small lOCA condition was recognized. The plant dispatched on-site and off-s~te monitoring teams.
At 8:45 a.m., the emergency classification was upgraded to SITE 11 EMERGENCY. 11 The containment sump line isolation valves, CV-1103 and CV-1104, failed to close and the containment sump continued .to be dumped to the dirty waste tank. The dirty waste tank overflowed and the Auxiliary Building radiation monitor alarmed. The automatic trip of the Auxiliary Building exhaust fans did not occur.
9:00 a.m.
Stack gas monitors; RIA-2313 and RIA-2319, alarm.* The operator manually tripped the exhaust fans. A release of 2 Ci/sec noble gases and
.002 Ci/sec of Iodines for a five-minute interval was estimated and reported to off-site agencies.
9:15 a.m.
RIA-2306 approaced 100 MR/hr and a site evacuation commenced. At that time, the exhaust fans were manually restarted due to high building activity levels.
STATE/LOCAL:
8:30 a.m.
OSEOC continued update information to JPIC, and the three activated counties in addition to the SEOC in Lansing.
8:45 a.m.
Received upgrade to SITE EMERGENCY.
11 11 Public notification by county authorities. Emergency personnel were placed on immediate standby status for possible warning and evacuation control. RHD HP teams were reporting no released to RHD in the OSEOC.
9:05 a.m.
HP teams reported indication of release at site boundary. Assessment of off-site impact based on environmental monitoring results. All counties, the SEOC, and JPIC were notified.
9:15 a.m.
OSEOC received notification of plant site evacuation and alerted the other off-site agencies. Monitoring data assessment continued.
UTILITY.:
9:30 a.m.
Stack gas monitors went off-scale. A release rate of 600 Ci/sec noble gases and 0.6 Ci/sec Iodines was reported to off-site agencies.
Meteorological information remained the same. The emergency classifica-tion was upgraded to "GENERAL EMERGENCY." The plant recommended a precautionary evacuation out to seven miles in Sectors A, 8, and C, and sheltering out to ten miles.
STATE/LOCAL 9 :30 a .m.
Determine protective action guidelines bases on environmental monitoring results. Order appropriate evacuation and sheltering. Isolate exposed areas~ Advise affected counties. Update JPIC.
UTILITY ll:30a.m.
Site personnel located leakage pathway and were able to isolate.
Continue updating off-site EOCs. Reactor stable and in satisfactory and cooldown mride.
STATE/LOCAL:
11 :30 a.m.
Verify isolation of release. Determine reactor cooling stability and prognosis of further release.
SCENARIO NOTE:
. To facilitate transition to the recovery/re-entry phase, the OSEOC Executive Group opened an envelope containing scenario instructions moving them forward in time seven days. This occurred at approximately 11 :15 a.m.
to 12:10 p.m. at the discretion of the exercise controller.
UTILITY:
12:00 Noon (approx)
!lee. l 6, 1980 No off-stte releases occurred since 11:20 a.m., December 9, 1980; Site personnel insured the reactor was in cold shutdown and that containment integrity was intact. Reclassified to an "ALERT" category.
STATE/LOCAL 12:00 Noon (approx)
Dec. 16, 1980 MDPH and other agencies assessed contamination and where appropriate began planning for recovery/re..:entry procedures. .
State coordinated with affected counties on all public* notifications concerning re-entry procedures, deactivated relocation centers and road blocks, determined long-term protective actions.
1:30 p.m.
(approx)
EXERCISE ENDS It was the opinion of observers that the exercise was too compressed in time, especially during the final hours.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 1. Future scenarios should be df longer duration and provide ample opportunities to demonstrate capabilities to respond. (
Reference:
NU REG 0654 N. l - N. 3) .
1.0.
- 1 IV. EVALUATIO* S
,/
A. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY (ORGANIZATION CONTROL) - -
STATE NEAR SlTE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FACILITY (EOF):
Direction and Control capabilities demonstrated were well above average.
Responsibilities for perfonning major emergency response functions were assigned to capable key personnel at all organizational levels. Strong support from all of the involved State agencies was very apparent.
A hazardous materials accident not included in the exercise scenario which was reported by the City of Fennville was taken in stride, appropriately.
managed and officials are to be complimented.
Staffing was excellent and only a few minor discrepancies were noted.
The Chairperson exercised complete professional control and all personnel performed in a professional manner.
Coordination among staff members was effective as a result of periodic staff briefings. Important messages were routed immediately to the Ch.ief of Staff for action, then logged. Status changes were read aloud to the assembly.
The second shift merged into EOC functions smoothly but staff briefjngs became irregular. There were some coriflicting readings but subsequent dis-cussions satisfied observers that the questions were resolved.
Protective Action Guides were adequate.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 2. The State should review its "Living Status Roll" to detennine* whether some y
.t.
of the entries should be prioritized. Posting every message on the status roll delayed posting certain important messages by at least an hour and participants already had printed copies of what was posted.
ALLEGAN, VAN BUREN AND BERRIEN COUNTIES:
Personnel perfonned in a highly professional, capable manner, and all systems worked well, demonstrating the capability to protect the public in event of a nuclear accident at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
_A 11 emergency services were represented. Participants were interested in doing good work.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
11
. *r
- 8. ON-SITE EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION Section 8, NUREG 0654 FEMA-REPl, pertains only to licensee responsibilities for emergency response and is not included in the exercise evaluation of State and local plans.
12
- c. EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES STATE/LOCAL:
While the exercise is not intended to exercise the Federal response capabilities, it is intended that interface among Federal, State, and local jurisdictions can be activated. Key State and local participants indicated an awareness of provisions and procedures for incorporating the Federal emergency response capabilities as ~escribed in its plan.
Strong support from all of the involved State agencies was very apparent.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
l2.
D. .EMERGENCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM STATE/LOCAL:
Uses of the Standard Emergency Classification System and action level scheme consistent with those established by the utility and local response plans were adequately addressed during the exercise.
All pa ~itipants were aware of the correct event classifications and_
required actions for each classification were adequately demonstrated during the exercise.
- r RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
I .
E. NOTIFICATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES STATE/LOCAL:
Procedures have been established for notification by the facility of State and local response organizations, and for notification of emergency personnel by all response organizations. Some improvement is .needed at Allegan County.
All important public emergency infomation was delivered by direct phone line to the Joint Public Information Center (JPIC) spokesperson. The spokesperson should have provided the public with more details and placed greater emphasis on evacuation information when presenting emergency informa-tion to the media. Media response was excellent.
An interpreter provided Spanish translations of emergency information for migrant workers. Use of al'county spokesman to provide localized information to the public was good.
The bilingual order to evacuate was given via a public address system with all ava1 table cars used to evacuate 7,312 in.the Paw Paw area. Vehicle control was maintained at the EOC through the use of maps.
Participant response to emergency notifications was good except for RAD monitors.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 3. It .is time to proceed with a comprehensive public edu~ation program to*
teach citizens what actions they are to take in event of a nuclear accident.
ALLEGAN COUNTY:
It required l 1/4 hours to issue warnings to citizens in Casco Township.
Warnings were issued by public broadcast media, Sheriff, police, and Fire Department vehicle PA systems.
- RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 4. Each organization shall establish means for providing prompt instruc-tion~ to the public within the plume exposure pathway Emergency P1ann i ng Zone ( EPZ). (
Reference:
NUREG 0654 E. 6).
F. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS STATE/VAN BUREN COUNTY EOCs:
. The communications capability was outstanding. The communications van was used effectively. In the event of an actual emergency, military communications support demonstrated would be excellent. Military field phones were used and there was more than one backup to the communications system.
Telephone equipment was in place and ready to be plugged in when the EOC is activated. Headsets were provided by Consumers Power to cut out disturbing noises. Messages, generally speaking, were handled in an effective manner.
Radios were available as a communications backup.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 5. Landline communications between the host centers and EOCs need radio backup. (
Reference:
. NU REG 0654 F. *1 ) .
BERRIEN COUNTY All systems worked effectively. The Berrien County exercise focused on testing of communications capabilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
e-G. PUBLIC. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION This was an outstanding Public Information effort. Some helpful refinements have been completed since earlier exercises. There was an almost continuous flow of information through the Joint Public Information Center (JPIC) to the media by articulate spokesmen. Well-written printed updates were passed out to reporters and posted following regular live briefings. Press kit pictures and information were used extensively by the media. The South Haven Daily Tribune should be particularly conunended for its participation in the exercise and voluntarily printing of an extra supplement to its daily paper.
11 11 Teamwork ~nd coordination among the State, county, and utility PIOs was thorough; professional, and effective.
Graphic visual aids were very good and proved useful on a number of occasions.
Physical acconunodations showed a sincere effort to provide the media with necessary typewriters and telephones for performing their duties.and there was room for expansion if it had been necessary. Helic'opter landing acconunodations were used.
- Sever~l unique innovations were the Rumor Control system which worked
- well and use of a. Spanish translator to provide emergency information for migrant workers. Also, assigning a spokesperson from the utility s 1 Training Division was excellent.
The exercise heightened media awareness of its role and responsi-bilities for serving the public in event of an nuclear incident.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 6. There is a need for the State, County, and utility to develop closer liaison with the local media so their involvement is fully understood and utilized. (
Reference:
NUREG 0654 G.5)
- 7. The State, utility and coun(ties)need to consider an appropriate Joint Public Information Center : JPIC to accommodate the Pa 1i sades and D. C. Cook utilities jointly, such as Lake Michigan College which could be used by both Consumers Power Company and Indiana Michigan Power Company. (R~ference: NUREG 0654 G.3 (a)).
H. EMERGENCY.FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT STATE NEAR.SITE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FACILITY (EOF) AT THE VAN BUREN COUNTY EOC: .
. The s*tate Near Site Emergency Operations Facility at the Van Buren County EOC was rated by observers to be very good to outstanding. An overhead projector displayed excellent status reports which were also
- maintained in a separate log.
Maps depicting resources and alert/evacuation routes were very good.
Security was excellent.
Accoustics were excellent.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
ALLEGAN COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC):
Allegan County "planned their work" and* "worked their plan" and in the opinion of observers, demonstrated an outstanding capability to protect the citizens of Allegan County in the event of a nuclear accident at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. They are to be complimented for their attention to planning details and sincere acceptance of the necessity to anticipate the possible hazards of such an i~ci~ent. The Allegan County EOC was located in the Cormnissioner's meeting room in the County Building and was staffed at 8:00 a.m. at the beginning of the exercise. The exercise ALERT had been 11 11 posted. All emergency services agencies were represented, as called for in the County's nuclear emergency plan. The facility being used was utilized to fu 11 advantage but does not qualify as an EOC. The County, however, has a new facility under construction which will meet full operational demands*
in event of a nuclear accident.
Security was excellent with four representatives from the Sheriff's Department in charge of admissions.
Emergency logs and maps were good.
The Allegan County Public Information Office referred all media inquiries to the Joint Public Information Center (JPIC) as required.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
BERRIEN COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC):
Berrien County completed a full-scale exercise in October, 1980, and was basically testing the cormnunications system. All systems worked well and decisive actions were taken in response to scenario events. Participants were concerned and interested in performing their functions well.
RECOMMENDATIONS: None.
Q I. ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT STATE:
The State of Michigan previously demonstrated that it has a good capability to provide methods, equipment, and expertise for rapid assessment of real or potential radiological hazards existing in liquid or gaseous pathways. There-fore, there was limited response by State accident assessment personnel during this exercise. Accident Assessment personnel demonstrated some corroboration calculations, but this was basically a corrununications exercise.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
VAN BUREN COUNTY:
Accident Assessment was not observed at the Van Buren County EOC. Four RADEF monitors from the County Health Department did not arrive at the Van Buren County EOC unti 1 after the arrival of the evacuees toward the. end of the exercise. Observers thought that the problem was that they might have gone to the evacuation center in Lawrence Township. Participant awareness of the REP plans was adequate.
Full body scans were made, but there was no capability to do thyroid testing. In a real emergency that equipment would be provided by the State.
The two County Health Department nurses did i good job, and were well equipped.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
ALLEGAN COUNTY:
RAD Health activities conducted by a team in Allegan County proved an existing capability.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
J. PROTECTIVE RESPONSE STATE/LOCAL:
The Michigan State nuclear emergency plan includes a range of protective actions for the plume exposure pathway EPZ for emergency workers and the public.
It also provides guidelines for choosing such actions during a radiological emergency.
In the opinion of observers, the State and counties demonstrated good capabilities for making appropriate decisions on protective actions during a radiological ~mergency.
STATE/VAN BUREN COUNTY:
Evacuation responsibilities were well managed and conducted in an excellent manner. Responsibility for maintenance of routes was appropriately dispatched.
The County took appropriate actions on all of the Protective Action Guides (PAGs) issued by the State. Verification procedures were followed as messages were received. The County established a readiness alert posture by identifying in-place resources.and mobilized auxiliary resources placing 150 policemen on call. This resource would be utilized in.support of the PAG requirement .
. The Van Buren Host and Decontamination Centers located at the Trinity*
Lutheran Church facility were adequate. The Decontamination Center at the Lawrence Township Fire Department was adequate. Communications were good with both landlines and radio available. Radiological monitoring was adequate.
Participant awareness of REP plans was adequate.
Cudoes are in order for Trinity Lutheran Church, the Red Cross, and other "
,*'\*
volunteer agencies personnel that participated in the operation of the host reception center at Van Buren County.
ALLEGAN COUNTY:
At the Allegan County host reception center, the American Red Cross had one of the most dedicated groups of people involved in the exercise who all acted very professionally. The security guard did not report for duty, but they took over the responsibility themselves and did a very good job.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
K. RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE CONTROL STATE/LOCAL:
The State emergency plan includes a range of protective actions for the plume exposure pathway EPZ for emergency workers and the public, and provides adequate guidelines for choosing such actions during an emergency.
All protective actions were taken in a timely, organized, and coordinated fashion .. KI was issued in the form of jell,Ybeans. KI. is stocked by a local pharmacy with a two-year shelf life.
- Patrol cars and roadblocks were sent to pre-designated areas as requfred.
The county provided busses for citizens without transportation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
21
L. MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT STATE/LOCAL:
The exercise demonstrated a very good capability for providing emergency medical. support in event of injuries related to a nuclear emergency.
Arrangements have been made with appropriate medical facilities for the evaluation of radiation exposure*uptake and adequate accommodations exist for treatment of contaminated individuals~
The local hospitals deserve special recognition for their direct participation in the exercise.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None.
M.
e.
RECOVERY, RE-ENTRY PLANNING AND POST-ACCIDENT OPERATIONS The exercise demonstrated that the State has developed appropriate plans for recovery, re-entry, and post-accident operations.
Adequate resources were available for returning the individuals to their homes during the Re-entry and Recovery phase. Regaining resources during the recovery process and identifying where people were and getting them back in their daily routine were orderly.
This activity was not fully observed, but inasmuch as the exercise moved from Day l to Day 7, it is assumed this responsibility was as capably managed as preceding events.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 8. In future exercises, more actual observable EOC recovery and re-entry activities should be included. (
Reference:
NUREG 0654 M.l, M.3).
N. EXERCISES AND DRILLS ,)
RECOMMENDATION:
- 9. Periodic exercises should be conducted to evaluate major portions of emergency response capabilities; periodic drills should be conducted to develop and maintain key skills and deficiencies identified as a result of exercises or drills are to be corrected, as detailed in NUREG 0654, Section N.
- . }~ *-* .. :,*;.-*
- 0. RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 10. Each organization shall establish a training program for instructing and qualifying personnel who will implement radiological emergency response plans. The specialized initial training and periodic retraining programs (including the scope, nature, and frequency) should be provided for ~adiological monitoring teams and radiological analysis personnel.
(
Reference:
NUREG 0654 0.4c).