ML19241C006
| ML19241C006 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Fort Saint Vrain  |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Warembourg D PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260129 | |
| Download: ML19241C006 (2) | |
Text
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- 1 NUCLE AR REGULATORY COMMISSIC'i
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REGION IV SAWw/ g Gil HYAM PL AZ A DRIVE, SUITE 1000 "N
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May 22, 1979 Mr. D. U. Uarembourg, !!uclear Production ihnager Fort St. Vrain fluclear Station Post Office Box 368 Platteville, Colorado 80651 Gentlem:n:
As a result of the recent accident at the Three Mile Island fluclear Station (TMI), the I!RC has been reviewing the arrangements for immediate notification by licensees and the comunications available during emergencies.
The initial notification from TMI was dclayed due to several difficulties. When concern was raised about evacuation, the telephone lines into the area around TMI became saturated and alternate telephone arrangeirents had to be found.
k.erican Telephone and Telegraph Company, the 1 telephone companies, and the White House were extremely helpful in re-e.
ishing and expanding the telephon'a cormunications system betweE ~ tne sit-oC Headquarters, and the Regional Office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvanic. LJi :ng the acute phase of incident recovery. However, communications were limited while these lines were being worked on.
This experience clearly demonstrates the need to pre-establish a limited number of direct and dedicated telephone lines at all sites where there is the possibility of a nuclear incident to facilitate the initial notification and to assure continuing communicatio.
In that regard, the !!RC has already taken steps to assure that there will be an individual available at any time to receive a call from any nuclear facility.
As a further step to facilitate an immediate notification and to assure con-tinued and uninterrupted communications with licensees, the I!RC is arranging to install special telephones at all operating nuclear power plants and selected fuel facilities.
There will be two direct and dedicated lines to each site.
One line will be for operations and will be configured in such a manner that when the telephone is lif ted from the cradle it will automatically ring in the t;RC Operations Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and the appropriate Regional Office.
For nuclear power plant sites, there will be extensions in, at least, each unit's control room, the shif t supervisor's office, and any alternate emergancy operations primary alarm station, and the designate]a@e center.
Fuel facility locations would b lant Manager's Office, t
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11r. D. W. Warembourg May 22, 1979 The second direct and dedicated line would be for health physicu needs during an emergency.
This would be a dial-up line, not automatic ringing, which would aiso tie together the site, f1RC Headquarters, and the Regional Office.
For most facilities, extensions would be needed in the main health physics office, emergency operations center, and any alternate emergency operations centers.
We are now preparing a proposed amendment to flRC regulations which would cover this request.
Besides any discussion on the need for and placement of these telephone lines, it is anticipated that the Statement of Consideration would touch on the question of who will pay the continuing charges for these telephone lines.
The f!RC believes, however, that in the best interest of the public, installation should not be delayed pending settlement of the question of financial responsibility.
Therefore, flRC will pay for the installation and service charges at least until a final rule can be promulgated.
In the meantime, we anticipate that each licensee will cooperate with the fiRC and the local telephone companies in allowing these lines to be installed, as soon as feasible.
If you have any questions concerning these telephone lines, please contact I'r. W. E. Vetter of my staff, telephone number (817) 334-2841.
Sincerely, Y
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'Karl V. Seyfrit f
Director cc:
fir. C. K. flillen Senior Vice President Post Office Box 840 Denver, Colorado 80201
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