ML20041B960
| ML20041B960 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1981 |
| From: | Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Ertel A HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20041B961 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8202250447 | |
| Download: ML20041B960 (2) | |
Text
_
r TERA TEnoprzg g L}l]Il DEC 311981
((.
Docket Nos. 50-289 and 50-320
- fjjfcq, p'~
\\p 3
A.J.
4 The lionorable Allen E. Ertel Q *'
' ' Q._M m
linited States House of Representatives
~:
Washington, D. C.
20515 W
l f g /,b'Gi{y s
j Cear Congressaan Ertel:
s This letter is in response to your inquiry of iovember 30, 1981 to Carlton Kamorer of our Office of Congressional Affairs in which you requested infomation on how to discern the testing of sirens at Three Mile Island versus an actual emergency alert.
In our conversation with the emergency planning personnel at Three Mile Island nuclear plant, the NRC staff was informed that, of the two existing alarm systems (i.e., on-site and off-site), the on-site alam system has been and is being used frequently due to the utility's emergency exercise and drill schedule. This on-site alam system is a high frequency electronic tone generating system which can be heard approximately 1 mile away.
The off-site alarm system is the prompt notification system which will be used to alert residents within a 10 mile radius of the plant and must be tested at specific intervals. This off-site alam systen will consist of the Standard Civil Defense Nuclear Attack Signal and the Standard Alert Signal with the exception of two sirens having the additional Standard Fire / Ambulance Signal. As of this date, only these two sirens out of the 79 now installed are in use. One of these sirens is located in Fairview township, York County and the other is located in Londonderry township, Dauphin County. Testing of the other sirens is underway. Once this is accomplished, operation of these systems will be turned over to the counties.
There are tonal distinctions to differentiate anong the various types of signals. They are as follows:
1.
The Standard Civil Defense Nuclear Attack Signal is a wavering, continuous signal; 2.
The Standard Fire / Ambulance Signal is a 15-30 second blast; and 3.
The Standard Alert Signal is a steady tone signal lasting 3-5 minutes. This is the signal that would be used in the event there was an emergency at the nuclear plant which warranted local officials comunicating to residents over predesignated radio and television stations.
omad l
I 8202250447 811231 PDR ADOCK 05000 5" "
mn. l.H.............l................
NQC FORM 318 (10-80) NRCM 0240 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
~
The lionorable Allen E. Ertel Residents in the Harrisburg area should also be aware of news media releases regarding practice activations of the sirens.
For example, about two weeks prior to a scheduled drill or exercise, we understand that the public relations personnel at Three Mile Island release information via a media wire service (Public Relations News Center in Philadelphia) which is then distributed to media outlets in the Harrisburg area. Similar information is again released 1 day prior to the exercise. Should residents be in dbubt as to the meaning of the alarm signal, they should tune to specified radio frequency, watch their televisions, and/or call the appropriate County government information center.
I want to reemphasize that the only irmediate action required in the event of an emergency is to turn on your radio to receive instructions and information from local officials.
I trust this is responsive to your concerns.
Sincerely, (S!gned) T. A, Hehm Y William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations
Enclosure:
DISTRIBUTION:
Incoming Correspondence IE Files IE Reading EPLB Reading NRC PDR (w/ incoming)
Local PDR (w/ incoming)
WDircks KCornell RCDeYoung BGrimes SSchwartz FPagano DVan Niel SWelch BMatosko PBrandenberg (ED0-11246)
OCA (3)
EPeyton SECY (81-2402)
KPerkins LUnderwood D
nD
. E D 0 / k,,,,.0CA IE:hB.,,,,.,
.I E,: E, L
,,I, E k N,.acoAp@f,,,,
IE:DI
. c v '.4,B,,,,,,,,
. 84r.i u......
-"=> J:E,P,LB,,,,,,,
.. 6If.,.,.,.,q g,,..(6 aoo..
~~%
cn.neaw e1....
.wam. ras......
a"U l.2f.E/,B1,......,12/g/.81
..(272g81........1.upf.a.1........i.2.zd B.1......
..).2 fff.8.1...... l.12 /.d.
anc ronm u. no..o, nacu os' OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
_