View source for Information Notice 1989-46, Confidentiality of Exercise Scenarios

{{Adams
| number = ML031190361
| issue date = 05/11/1989
| title = Confidentiality of Exercise Scenarios
| author name = Cunningham R
| author affiliation = NRC/NMSS/IMNS
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = 
| docket = 05000000, 05000003, 05000010, 05000029, 05000133, 05000155, 05000171, 05000206, 05000213, 05000219, 05000220, 05000237, 05000244, 05000245, 05000247, 05000249, 05000250, 05000251, 05000254, 05000255, 05000259, 05000260, 05000261, 05000263, 05000265, 05000266, 05000267, 05000269, 05000270, 05000271, 05000272, 05000275, 05000277, 05000278, 05000280, 05000281, 05000282, 05000285, 05000286, 05000287, 05000289, 05000293, 05000295, 05000296, 05000298, 05000301, 05000302, 05000304, 05000305, 05000306, 05000309, 05000311, 05000312, 05000313, 05000315, 05000316, 05000317, 05000318, 05000320, 05000321, 05000322, 05000323, 05000324, 05000325, 05000327, 05000328, 05000329, 05000330, 05000331, 05000333, 05000334, 05000335, 05000336, 05000338, 05000339, 05000341, 05000344, 05000346, 05000348, 05000352, 05000353, 05000354, 05000358, 05000361, 05000362, 05000364, 05000366, 05000368, 05000369, 05000370, 05000373, 05000374, 05000382, 05000387, 05000388, 05000389, 05000390, 05000391, 05000395, 05000397, 05000400, 05000409, 05000410, 05000412, 05000413, 05000414, 05000416, 05000417, 05000423, 05000424, 05000425, 05000437, 05000438, 05000439, 05000440, 05000441, 05000443, 05000444, 05000445, 05000446, 05000454, 05000455, 05000456, 05000457, 05000458, 05000461, 05000482, 05000483, 05000498, 05000499, 05000508, 05000528, 05000529, 05000530
| license number = 
| contact person = 
| document report number = IN-89-046, NUDOCS 8905080009
| document type = NRC Information Notice
| page count = 10
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES

===NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION===
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

===WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555===
May 11, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-46: CONFIDENTIALITY OF EXERCISE SCENARIOS

==Addressees==
:
All holders of licenses for fuel cycle facilities and byproduct material

licensees having an approved emergency response plan.

==Purpose==
:
This information notice is being provided to alert fuel facility and certain

byproduct material licensees of the unacceptable practice of conducting the

required annual radiological emergency response exercises using 'players who

are familiar with the details of the exercise scenarios.

===It is expected that===
recipients will review the information for applicability to their programs, distribute the notice to responsible radiation protection and emergency response

staff, and consider actions, if appropriate, to ensure that emergency response

exercises fulfill their intended purpose.

===However, suggestions contained in===
this information notice do not constitute new U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

(NRC) requirements, and no written response is required.

==Description of Circumstances==
:
During NRC's observation and evaluation of a recent radiological emergency

exercise at a fuel facility in NRC Region II, 
the inspectors learned that

the licensee was planning to use a scenario that was familiar to the exercise

players. The inspectors also learned that a training handout was provided to

members of the emergency organization which intentionally included the actual

scenario to be used for the exercise. The scenario and the various players'
anticipated roles were apparently discussed and "rehearsed." The handout

also offered applicable emergency procedures (or portions thereof) for use

by players during the exercise. Subsequent inspections at other fuel cycle

facilities have revealed that this situation is not unique.

Failure to

conduct a radiological emergency exercise in a manner that adequately tests

a licensee's ability to implement the Radiological Contingency Plan could

result in an NRC request to conduct a remedial exercise, as occurred in the

case discussed above.

Discussion:
Fuel facility and major byproduct materials licensees were ordered under a

Generic Order published in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 31, February 17,
1981) to submit radiological contingencyplans to the NRC licensing staff for

incorporation into their licenses. The emergency response plans submitted in

508000 
Z I"191

IN 89-46 May 11, 1989 response to this order have been incorporated as license conditions for a

number of years. These plans include requirements for periodic training, drills, and exercises. The purpose of training and drills is to familiarize

participants with the contents of the contingency plan, procedures, and the

types of events that would take place in the facility.

However, for exercises, it was the NRC's intention that participants not have

prior knowledge of the specific exercise scenario. Exercises are conducted

to test response capabilities and ensure that radiological emergency personnel

are familiar with their duties. Observers of exercises cannot evaluate the

effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have been briefed on the

scenarios prior to the exercise.

The new final rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, "Exercises must use accident scenarios postu- lated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not be

known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each exer- cise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan. Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response. Deficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If y-o-u

-ave

any questions -aboudtthis Matte, pea~se direct them to the technical

contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC

Regional Office.

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety===
Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

Technical Contacts: 

===Edwin D. Flack, NMSS===
(301) 492-0405

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

===Attachment 1===
IN 89-46

===May 11, 1989 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED===
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES

Information

Date of

Notice No.

Subject

Issuance

Issued to

89-37
89-35
89-34.

89-25

===Proposed Amendments to 40===
CFR Part 61, Air Emission

===Standards for Radionuclides===
Loss and Theft of Unsecured

===Licensed Material===
Disposal of Americium

Well-Logging Sources

===Unauthorized Transfer of===
Ownership or Control of

===Licensed Activities===
Nuclear Criticality Safety

===Alternative Waste Management===
Procedures in Case of Denial

of Access to Low-Level Waste

===Disposal Sites===
Dose Calibrator Quality

Control

===Potential Electrical===
Equipment Problems

04/04/89
03/30/89
03/30/89
03/07/89
03/06/89
02/08/89
02/09/89
01/11/89
89-24
89-13

===All U.S. NRC===
licensees

All U.S. NRC byproduct, source and special

nuclear material licensees

All holders of U.S.

===NRC specific licenses===
authorizing well-logging

activities.

All NRC source, byproduct, and special

nuclear material

licensees.

===All fuel cycle===
licensees and other

licensees possessing

more than critical mass

quantities of special

nuclear material.

===All holders of NRC===
specific licenses.

===All NRC medical===
licensees.

===All fuel cycle and===
major nuclear materials

licensees.

89-12
89-03

===Attachment 2===
1. 81-48 May 11, 
1989 Pag 1 of 1

===LIST OF RECEIITY ISSUED===
NRC INFORRATIUON

NOTICES

Lftcrrition

,ace or

Notice No.

Suebect

Issuance

89.45 Metalclad. Low-Voltage

5/8/89

===Power Circuit 3reakors===
Refurbisheo with Sub- stanoard Parts

89-44 Hydrogen Storage an tne

4/27/89

===Roof of the Control Room===
28-82.

Torus Stells with Corrosion

Si2/89 Supp. I

ane Cegraded Coatings in

===Ild Containments===
89-43 Permanent Deformation of

5/1/89

===Torque Switch Helfical===
Springs in Lizitorque

SA-Type Motor Operators

88-97.

Potentially Substandard

4/28/89 Supp. I

===Valve Replacerent Parts===
89-42 Failure of Rosemount

4/21/89 Focels 1153 ano 1:54

===Transi tters===
89-41 Operator hesponse to

4/2,089 Pressurization of Low-

===Pressure Interfacing===
Systems

a8-75, Disabling of 01esel

4/1689 Supplement I

Generator Cut;ut Circuit

Sreakers by Anti-;Pwm

Cfrcuitry

-- 
------- 8t.4C: -
ffsattsfc:ory1:orar rettT/I4/1s~9

===Results ano Their Etfdct on===
the Requalificat1on Program

89-i9 Cist of Pertles Excluoed

4/5/89 from Federal Procurement

or Rlon-Procurement Programs

CL

* Coerating Licenic

C?

* Construction Permit

===UNITED STATES===
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

===WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555===
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
Issued to

===All holders of OLs===
or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

===All rolders of OLs===
or CPs for ruclear

power reactors.

===All holders of OLs===
or CPs for 864s.

===All holders of OLs===
or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

===All holders of OLS===
or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

===All holders of OL5===
or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

===All holvers of OLs===
or CPS for nuclear

power reactors.

===All holders of OLs===
or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

All hoieers ofCLs~
or CPS for nuclear

power reactors.

===All holders of CLs===
or CPs for nuclear

;ower reattors.

===FIRST CLASS MAIL===
POSTAGE 1 FEES PAID

USNARC

===PERMIT No. 0.67===

IN 89-46 May 11, 1989 response to this order have been incorporated as license conditions for a

number of years. These plans include requirements for periodic training, drills, and exercises. The purpose of training and drills is to familiarize

participants with the contents of the contingency plan, procedures, and the

types of events that would take place in the facility.

However, for exercises, it was the NRC's intention that participants not have

prior knowledge of the specific exercise scenario. Exercises are conducted

to test response capabilities and ensure that radiological emergency personnel

are familiar with their duties. Observers of exercises cannot evaluate the

effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have been briefed on the

scenarios prior to the exercise.

The new final rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, Exercises must use acient

scenarios postu- lated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not be

known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each exer- cise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan. Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response. Deficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please direct them to the technical

contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC

Regional Office.

===PriinaI Signed by===
Richard E. Cunningham, Director

===Division of Industrial and===
Medical Nuclear Safety

===Office of Nuclear Material Safety===
and Safeguards

Technical Contacts: Edwin D. Flack, NMSS

(301) 492-0405

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Editor

*IMNS

EKraus

===RECunningham===
4/6 /89 
5/7/89
*See previous concurrence

OFC: IMOB* 
:IMSB* 
:IMOB* 
:OGC* 
:RII* 
:IMOB* 
:IMSB* : IMNS*
---------------------------------------------for tel.-------------------------
NAME:JMetzger/ll:GBidinger:JLyash :RFonner :DCollins :DCool

:LRouse :GSjoblom

DATE:4/20 /89 
:4/26/89 :4/g&sect;sLi j046S82n:5cQZ/89 :5/4/89: 4/27/89: 5/5/89

IN 89- May

, 1989 Page 2 of

However, for exercises, it was the NRC's intention that participants not have

prior knowledge of the specific exercise scenario. Exercises are conducted to

test response capabilities and ensure that radiological emergency personnel

are familiar with their duties.

===Observers of exercises cannot evaluate the===
effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have been briefed on the

scenarios prior to the exercise.

The new final rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, "Exercises mus use accident scenarios

postulated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not

be known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each

exercise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan. Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response. Deficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written response is required by this Information

Notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please direct them to

the technical contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the

appropriate NRC Regional Office.

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS===
Technical Contacts: Edwin D. Flack, NMSS

(301) 492-0405

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

Editor

EKrausiha

4/6 /89 
5/9F/89
*See previous concurrence

OFC: IMOB* 
:IMSB* 
:IMOB* 
:OGC* 
:RII* 
:IMOSB

;.MSB* 
: Imqh

--------------------------------------------- for tel.--- 
---------
NAME:JMetzger/ll:GBidinger:JLyash :RFonner

:DCollins

" 
:LRouse :GwMb m

DATE:4/20 /89 
:4/26/89 -4/2618 
404 
29:51089- :5/q /89:5/27/89:5/\\ /89 OFFI

LPLL RECORDU CUY

I

IN 89- Vw Apri4- 
, 1989 Page 2 of

However, for exercises, it was the NRC's intention that participants not have

prior knowledge of the specific exercise scenario. Exercises are conducted to

test response capabilities and ensure that radiological emergency personnel

are'familiar with their duties.

===Observers of exercises cannot evaluate the===
effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have been briefed on the

scenarios prior to the exercise.

The new final rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, "Exercises must use accident scenarios

postulated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not

be known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each

exercise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan.

Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response.

===Deficiencies found by the critiques===
must be corrected." 
X

No specific action or written response is required by this Information

Notice. If you have any 4uestions about this matter, please direct them to

the technical contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the

appropriate NRC Regional Office.

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS===

===Technical Contact:===

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

Editor

IMNS

EKraus

===RECunningham===
4/6 /89 
4/ /89
*See previous concurrence

OFC: IMOB* 
:IMSB* 
:IMOB* 
:OGC* 
:RIIJfl

: IMOB : IM5B* : IMNS

_________---------------------- 
-------------------------
NAME:JMetzger/ll:GBidinger:JLyash :RFonner: D-flinw DCool: LRouse: GSjoblon

DATE:4/20 /89 
:4/26/89 4 
/89:4?27/89:A/ /89

IN 89- April

1989 Page 2 of

However, for exercises, it was the NRC's intention that participants not have

prior, knowledge of the specific exercise scenario.

===Exercises are conducted to===
test response capabilities and ensure that radiological emergency personnel

are famIliar with their duties. Observers of exercises cannot evaluate the

effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have been briefed on the

scenarios prior to the exercise.

The new final rjle, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April '7, 
1989) states, "Exercises must use accident scenarios

postulated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not

be known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each

exercise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan. Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response. Deficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written response is required by this Information

Notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please direct them to

the technical contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the

appropriate NRC Regional Office.

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS===

===Technical Contact:===

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

Editor

IMNS

EKraus

===RECunningham===
4/6 /89 
4/ /89
*See previous concurrence

oFC: IMOB* 
:IMSB* 
:,M

OGC* 
l IMOB

:IM, 
:IMNS

NAME:JMetzger/ll:GBidingertyash

:RFonner :DCool

:GSjoblom

DATE:4/20 /89 
:4/26/89 :4l66l2 4Q42j

690j

/89 :4Z/,89 :4/ /89

IN 89- April

, 1989 Page 2 of

Conduct of drills and exercises are to ensure that radiological emergency

personnel are familiar with their duties. Observers of drills and exercises

can t evaluate the effectiveness of personnel actions if the personnel have

been

xposed to the scenarios during training.

The new inal rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, "Exercises must use accident scenarios

postulated as most probable for the specific site and the scenarios shall not

be known to most exercise participants. The licensee shall critique each

exercise using individuals not having direct implementation responsibility for

the plan. Critiques of exercises must evaluate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response. Deficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written response is required by this Information

Notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please direct them to

the technical contact listed below, or to the Regional Administrator of the

appropriate NRC Regional Office.

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS===

===Technical Contact:===

===Douglas M. Collins, Region II===
(404) 242-5586 Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

Editor ,EjIK

INNS

EKraus

===RECunningham===
4/6 /89 
4/ /89 OFC: IOA

:MISBW

J9 IM

i

/ 
:0GC,4 
:IMOB

:MISB

:IMNS

-------- 
---- 
----f/'---- g- 
-----------------
NAME 1Ietzger/ll:GBidinger: gash :RFo9r :DCool

:LRouse

:GSjoblom

DATE:4/20 /89 
:4/<P/89 
:4/6&/89 :4/04 /89 
:4/ 
/89 
:4/ /89 :4/ /89

===OFFICIAL RECORD COPY===

IN 89- April

, 1989 Page 2 of

7 Conduct of drills and exercises are to ensure that radiologi

emergency

personnel are familiar with their duties. observerse of d us and exercises

cannot evaluate the effectiveness of personnel actions i the personnel have

been exposed to the scenarios during training.

The new final rule, effective April 7, 1990 (Feder

Register Vol. 54, No. 66, published April 7, 1989) states, "Exercises imust

se accident scenarios

postulated as uost probable for the specific si

and the scenarios shall not

be known to most exercise participants. The

censee shall critique each

exercise using individuals not having direct mplementation responsibility for

the plan.

Critiques of exercises must eva ate the appropriateness of the

plan, emergency procedures, facilities, uipment, training of personnel, and

overall effectiveness of the response.

eficiencies found by the critiques

must be corrected."
No specific action or written resp se is required by this Information

Notice. If you have any question about this matter, please direct them to

the technical contact listed be w, or to the Regional Administrator of the

appropriate NRC Regional Offic

===Richard E. Cunningham, Director===
Division of Industrial and

===Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS===
Technical Cont t: Douglas M. Collins, Region II

(404) 242-5586 Attachment:
1. List f recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

Editor

IMNS

EKraus

===RECunningham===
4/G /89 
4/ /89 UF1: 
:MISB

:IMOB

:OG

W :IMOB

:MISB

:IMNS

____.Ac

----------------------------- 
--------------------------------____
NAME

Jtzger/ll:GBidinger:JLyash

:RFd'niIr :DCool

:LRouse

:GSjoblom

_ 
__ 
_ 
----------------------------------
DATE:4/QP/89 
:4/ 
/89 
:4/ 
/89 :4/'//89 
:4/ 
/89 
:4/ 
/89 
:4/ 
/89 OFFICIAL RECORD CUPY}}

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