Chapter 6 Operational response

6.1 General

6.1.1 Operational response strategies are employed during a nuclear emergency response in order to facilitate the implementation of protective measures against the effects of a radioactive emission.

6.1.2 Responsibility and strategies for operational response implemented during a BNGS emergency are described below.

6.2 Public alerting

6.2.1 Public alerting system activation and responsibilities

1. Whenever the public alerting system is to be activated, the PEOC Commander shall concurrently issue an emergency bulletin (see Section 6.4) to the broadcast media. The bulletin shall contain specific instructions on what actions the public should take and where to get more information. Emergency bulletins should be continuously repeated.
2. In case of a General Emergency notification from BNGS stating that an emission is ongoing or imminent, the municipal contact points of the Designated Municipalities should immediately activate the public alerting system. Reference to any other authority is not required.
3. In all other cases, the PEOC Commander shall decide when to activate the public alerting system and issue the necessary instructions to the Designated Municipalities.

6.2.2 Public alerting systems used to implement this PNERP shall conform to the following principles:

1. The Municipality of Kincardine, as a Designated Municipality in the BNGS Detailed Planning Zone (see PNERP Master Plan, Annex A) shall make provisions, in their nuclear emergency plans, for a public alerting system which shall ensure that their Automatic Action Zone populations that may be required to undertake the default or immediate protective measures of (e.g., sheltering-in-place, evacuation, and ingestion of KI) can be alerted within 15 minutes of initiation.
2. Municipal plans shall detail how this requirement is met and, pursuant to Section 5 of the EMCPA, plans of Lower-tier Municipalities whose populations reside within the required alerting area, shall conform to the Municipal Plan.
3. The Municipality of Kincardine and the province shall include provisions in their nuclear emergency response plans to coordinate the timing of public alerting, public direction and emergency information. This should ensure that the population receives timely and accurate information on what protective measures to take once they have been alerted of an emergency.
4. The Municipality of Kincardine shall ensure an initial evaluation of any new public alerting system is completed to verify that the requirements under this PNERP are met. Further, regular integrated testing of existing public alerting systems shall be included as a component of municipal exercise programs.
5. Where the public alerting area includes more than one Municipality, the selected system(s) shall be compatible or integrated in order to ensure consistency in timing, type of signal and other key implementation specifications.
6. Such a public alerting system, coupled together with emergency bulletins, should ensure that the population within the Detailed Planning Zone is notified in an effective and timely manner.

6.2.3 The public alerting system for a BNGS emergency shall, in addition to adhering to the principles in Section 6.2.2 above, meet the following requirements:

1. The Municipality of Kincardine's nuclear emergency response plan shall describe how the public alerting system has the capability to issue a public alert to practically 100%^{footnote 4[4]} of the population, located both indoors and outdoors, within the Automatic Action Zone, within 15 minutes^{footnote 5[5]}.
2. The Municipality of Kincardine's nuclear emergency response plans shall describe how the public alerting system has the capability to issue a public alert to the population, located both indoors and outdoors, in the Detailed Planning Zone within 15 minutes.
3. The provincial Alert Ready program shall also be used to alert all populations within and beyond the DPZ^{footnote 6[6]}.

6.2.4 The operators of the Bruce NGS, pursuant to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, shall provide resources and assistance to the Municipality of Kincardine to establish and maintain a public alerting system in their Detailed Planning Zone. 

6.3 Technical assessments - PEOC Scientific Section

6.3.1 The PEOC Scientific Section is responsible for assessing the radiological consequences of the nuclear emergency through the operations of its Nuclear Incident Group (NIG) and the Environmental Radiation Assurance and Monitoring Group (ERAMG).

6.3.2 In the early phase of the emergency the majority of the assessments undertaken shall be by the NIG (Section 4.6.5). The ERAMG shall be focussed on ensuring the availability of baseline radiation information.

6.3.3 Once the emission has ceased, the ERAMG shall begin operations to determine the level and extent of radioactive contamination (Section 4.7.3).

6.4 Public direction - emergency bulletins

6.4.1 The responsibility for issuing emergency bulletins rests with the PEOC Commander and may be delegated to the PEOC Operations Chief.

6.4.2 The aim of public direction is to communicate, directly to the affected public through emergency bulletins, the direction and guidance regarding protective actions they should take in order to ensure their safety and welfare. Public direction principles are described in the PNERP Master Plan, Section 7.3.

6.4.3 Emergency bulletins issued during a partial activation response level, before an emission is expected to occur, should be informative and permissive, whereas emergency bulletins issued once a full activation response has been adopted should be increasingly directive.

6.4.4 While the need for future sheltering should be broadcast through emergency bulletin as soon as that need is identified, the actual sheltering directive should be made, via emergency bulletin, at least 4 hours prior to the expected emission time.

6.4.5 At a partial activation response, the emergency bulletin shall include the following information, as applicable:

1. date and time of expected emission
2. sectors (by geographical description) which may be affected
3. applicable precautionary and protective measures for the affected sectors or area and applicable timings (in the case of a delayed emission it may be appropriate to delay the application of some of them)
4. public inquiry phone number(s) and websites

6.4.6 As successive emergency bulletins are issued, as much additional information as possible should be provided which may encourage those who can leave early to evacuate.

6.4.7 Once a full activation response level has been adopted and an emission is expected in 36 hours or less, emergency bulletins should ensure that they include directions regarding:

1. date and time of expected emission
2. precautionary measures directed in the applicable zone(s)
3. protective measures and the affected sectors or zones
4. Reception Centres which can receive evacuees without accommodation
5. KI pill ingestion details and availability information, as applicable
6. public inquiry phone number(s) and websites

6.4.8 Marine notification and public direction

1. The PEOC Commander shall ensure the Canadian Coast Guard is notified by the GOC whenever the PEOC receives a notification (partial or full activation) under this plan (see Paragraph 4.4.3 f)) and they, in turn, shall notify the U.S. Coast Guard.
2. In the case of a full activation response, the Canadian Coast Guard shall broadcast an emergency message through their radio stations to marine craft on the marine radio channel. The message should notify all marine craft in the vicinity of the emergency and direct them to remain clear of the Detailed Planning Zone.
3. Municipal plans shall detail how the South Bruce OPP Marine Unit assists in notifying and evacuating marine craft that do not have radios on board.

6.4.9 The public awareness and education program for nuclear emergencies shall include information regarding the means by which public direction will be communicated.

6.5 Emergency public information

6.5.1 Lower level response

When the off-site response adopted is Routine Monitoring or Enhanced Monitoring, (see Table 4.2), all news releases pertaining to the event and prepared on behalf of the province, shall be issued by the Director Communications Branch, MCSCS who acts as the Provincial Chief Emergency Information Officer (PCEIO).

6.5.2 Higher level response

1. When the off-site response adopted is partial activation or full activation, (see Table 4.2), the Director of Communications Branch, MCSCS, assumes their role as PCEIO, establishing the provincial Emergency Information Section (EIS), on behalf of the province.
2. The Designated Municipalities, the reactor facility operator and the federal government each have their own emergency information operations.
3. In order to ensure the coordination and consistency of all emergency information issued to the public, all stakeholders should inform the provincial EIS if they plan to issue news releases or other emergency information materials.
4. Stakeholders should coordinate the release and content of emergency information for public release with the provincial Emergency Information Section.
5. Stakeholder emergency plans should include provisions for supporting the operation of a Joint Information Centre (JIC) if established by the PCEIO (e.g., public affairs/spokesperson).

6.5.3 The provincial Emergency Information Section (EIS)

1. The provincial EIS, located in Toronto, shall ensure that the province's emergency information is coordinated with the emergency information produced and disseminated by the Designated Municipalities, nuclear operator, federal partners and other stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging.
2. Stakeholders should share emergency information prior to release wherever possible and practicable.
3. The EIS functions include:
   1. Coordinating all of the provincial communications related to the nuclear emergency.
   2. Issuing provincial emergency information.
   3. Sharing and coordinating emergency information with Municipal EICs to ensure continuity and uniformity of messaging.
   4. Sharing copies of all news releases, fact sheets, and other public information materials with EICs prior to release to the public, if or when possible.
   5. Sending a liaison officer(s) to the Municipal EICs, if so requested.

6.5.4 Municipal Emergency Information Centre (EIC)

1. Emergency plans for the Designated Municipalities shall each describe how an EIC is established at a partial or full activation response.
2. The EIC is responsible for the collection, dissemination and monitoring of local emergency information.
3. The Designated Municipalities may invite the BNGS operator, neighbouring Municipalities, federal, and provincial liaison officers to participate in the EIC operation.
4. The functions of the EIC include:
   1. Issuing news releases and other public information documents to the local media and residents describing the emergency and response measures.
   2. Keeping the provincial EIS and JIC informed regarding the development and distribution of news releases and other public information documents to local residents and media.
   3. Keeping the EIS apprised of local public perceptions, rumours, and reactions.
   4. Assisting media covering the emergency.
   5. Monitoring local media to ensure that local news is being correctly transmitted to the public by the media and confirming this with the EIS.
   6. Arranging media briefings, as required, to communicate "key messages" to the public.

6.5.5 Public inquiry

1. Provincial public inquiries shall be coordinated by the EIS and include use of the Service Ontario's hotline.
2. The Designated Municipalities shall be responsible for establishing their own public inquiry operation.

6.6 Entry control

6.6.1 Management of the main transportation routes shall be coordinated by the PEOC as follows:

1. In the case of marine, air and rail, through the relevant coordinating agency in the PEOC (federal liaison, MTO, OPP).
2. In the case of road traffic, by the Unified Transportation Coordination Centre (UTCC) via the MCSCS representative in the PEOC.

6.6.2 In the event of an ongoing emission or one that is imminent, the PEOC Commander should consider the following entry control measures and notify the proper authorities for implementation as appropriate:

1. Suspension of through traffic on Highway 21.
2. Suspension of marine traffic in the Detailed Planning Zone area (Sectors 7 - 9) of Lake Huron.
3. Aircraft should be kept clear of the Detailed Planning Zone.

6.7 Transportation management

6.7.1 A Unified Transportation Management Plan (UTMP) shall be developed for the Detailed Planning Zone as well as the arterial roads that provide access to this zone. During an emergency, the Unified Transportation Coordination Centre (UTCC) (see Paragraph 3.1.3) shall be responsible for implementing the UTMP.

6.7.2 The Unified Transportation Coordination Centre (UTCC) shall operate in coordination with the Municipal Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), and the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC).

6.7.3 The UTMP shall be designed to allow implementation in incremental stages consistent with the agreed upon evacuation time estimate data and the provincial emergency response levels. For example, a staged approach may include:

1. Stage 1: The aim in this stage could be to keep traffic flowing smoothly on the main evacuation routes and ensure that these routes remain open.
2. Stage 2: UTMPs could prevent traffic from entering the Detailed Planning Zone and divert traffic around it. However, access should be allowed for emergency workers who have tasks to perform in the Detailed Planning Zone. Stage 1 measures should continue.
3. Stage 3: Could be initiated when it appears that particular sectors are likely to be evacuated. Additional resources should be deployed to ensure that evacuation proceeds smoothly beyond the Detailed Planning Zone boundary. Stages 1 and 2 measures should continue.

6.7.4 The timing and order of sector evacuations shall be determined by the PEOC Commander, in coordination with the UTCC.

6.7.5 The UTMP shall provide, where applicable, for the priority evacuation of any response sectors if and when ordered.

6.7.6 Operational directives implementing evacuations (or emergency orders issued in the event of a declared emergency) shall be accompanied by emergency bulletins issued by the PEOC Commander.

6.8 Emergency worker safety

6.8.1 At the commencement of an emergency resulting in the activation of this plan, the response sectors in the Detailed Planning Zone shall be assumed to carry the following default safety status (PNERP Master Plan, Annex H), based on the category of the notification initiated by BNGS:

1. On-Site Emergency Notification with an ongoing emission:
   1. Sectors 1 and 7    -   ORANGE
   2. All other sectors   -   GREEN
2. General Emergency Notification with an ongoing emission:
   1. Sectors 1 and 7    -   RED
   2. Sectors 2, 3 and 8  -    ORANGE
   3. All other sectors   -   GREEN
3. All other cases:

   If there is no ongoing emission, then the sector safety status for all sectors should be GREEN and should remain GREEN until an emission commences.

6.8.2 The PEOC Scientific Section Chief shall make recommendations on sector safety status to the PEOC Commander for approval and update recommendations as data becomes available.

6.8.3 The PEOC Commander shall reassign safety status to all sectors and update them periodically as soon as relevant data is available.

6.8.4 During the course of an emission over land, safety sector status updates shall be done on an hourly basis and promptly communicated by the PEOC Commander to all stakeholders.

6.8.5 It is the responsibility of each organization with emergency workers operating or required to operate in the Detailed Planning Zone to ensure that they are kept apprised of the current safety status of response sectors.

6.8.6 The municipal plans shall provide for the setting up of Emergency Worker Centres (EWCs), as appropriate (PNERP Master Plan, Paragraph 7.10.3).

6.8.7 The BNGS operator is responsible for the monitoring and decontamination aspect of EWCs, the relevant details of which are provided in their plans and procedures.

6.8.8 Emergency workers who need to enter a sector shall first report to an EWC, where they will be provided with personal monitoring devices and briefed on the health risks and precautions they should observe and any maximum time limit on their stay in the sector (see Paragraph 6.8.1 above).

6.8.9 If an emission is ongoing, emergency services (police, fire and paramedic services) who are required to operate in the Automatic Action Zone (before an Emergency Worker Centre is functioning) should carry and use the following equipment:

1. personal protective equipment (e.g., respiratory protection, gloves, etc.)
2. dosimetry
3. stable iodine tablets (one tablet to be ingested prior to entering a RED sector)
4. a card listing the default safety status of sectors (see Paragraph 6.8.1 above) and the precautions to be taken for each safety status (PNERP Master Plan, Annex H)

6.8.10 Municipal plans shall detail how these emergency services obtain these items, appropriately store them, and maintain such equipment so that it is readily available when needed. The BNGS operator shall provide assistance in obtaining and maintaining items Paragraph 6.8.9 a) and b) above.

6.9 Population monitoring and medical management

6.9.1 The BNGS operator shall resource two Monitoring and Decontamination Units (MDUs) as follows:

1. Two MDUs should be located at fixed sites (e.g., at the Reception Centres in Kincardine and Port Elgin).
2. MDUs should be mobile facilities and transportable when required to locations which have been pre-designated.
3. Resources shall be provided that support mobility and relocation if required.

6.9.2 Designated Municipalities and the BNGS operator shall collaborate to identify in their respective emergency plans, multiple sites within the DPZ and CPZ which could host mobile MDUs, to ensure the availability of infrastructure and amenities to support their operation.

6.9.3 Fixed and pre-designated sites for mobile units shall be selected so as to provide, as far as practical, monitoring and decontamination options for all directions surrounding the Detailed Planning Zone.

6.9.4 Fixed and mobile MDUs shall provide both assurance monitoring, for those who have undertaken self-decontamination, as well as monitoring and decontamination for those evacuees who either require or desire it upon evacuating the Detailed Planning Zone.

6.9.5 The MOHLTC is responsible for leading and coordinating the health response and maintaining health services during nuclear and radiological emergencies. As such, the MOHLTC shall develop arrangements, in coordination with the BNGS operator, hospitals, Designated Municipalities and their public health units, to track evacuees for the purposes of contamination assessments (internal and external) and to provide follow up with those affected.

6.9.6 The Radiation Health Response Plan (RHRP) shall be fully activated through the MOHLTC EOC when it seems likely that the incident may result in high radiation exposures to some persons necessitating medical management.

6.10 Provincial Liquid Emission Response Plan (PLERP)

6.10.1 The main radiation (e.g., tritium) exposure pathway for a liquid emission from BNGS is through contamination of a water supply source, with the resulting hazard being the subsequent ingestion of contaminated water.

6.10.2 If a liquid emission has occurred at BNGS in conjunction with an event that meets the notification category system as detailed in this implementing plan, then it shall be managed within this implementing plan.

6.10.3 If a liquid emission has occurred at BNGS and has not occurred in conjunction with an event that meets the notification category system as detailed in this implementing plan, then it shall be managed in accordance with the BNGS operator's liquid emission response plan.

6.10.4 A liquid emission response undertaken pursuant to the PLERP, may shift to a PNERP response if events escalate to a magnitude where it is deemed appropriate by the PEOC Commander.

6.11 Management of radioactive waste

6.11.1 For large waste volumes and high radioactive levels, existing disposal facilities may be insufficient or unsuitable, thereby necessitating alternative means of disposal, including the potential for construction of new facilities.

6.11.2 The following factors should be considered in the determination of waste disposal siting (existing or new):

1. proximity to the incident area
2. proximity to residential areas or commercial districts
3. proximity to transportation corridors
4. for newly designated sites, the existing level of contamination and potential for remediation
5. consistency with national and international standards and practices for the management and control of radioactive waste; and
6. solutions to protect the health and safety of persons and the environment

6.11.3 When appropriate, the PEOC Commander shall appoint a working group to implement a waste management plan, including representatives from:

1. provincial ministries (e.g., MEPC, ENDM, MOL and MTO)
2. federal departments (e.g., CNSC and Health Canada)
3. municipal public works departments
4. reactor facility specialists
5. private sector organizations, as applicable