4.1 General

4.1.1 Operational response activities depend on the notification category received from AECL-CRL

  1. Upon receiving notification of a Reportable Event, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) will monitor the situation as Routine Monitoring.
  2. Upon receiving notification of an Abnormal Incident, the PEOC will adopt Enhanced Monitoring.

No activation response is required for the above two notification categories unless an escalation of the emergency occurs.

4.1.2 This chapter deals with emergency response operations for an accident at AECL-CRL which results in, or has the potential to result in, an emission of radioactive material to the atmosphere, and therefore a Partial or Full Activation response is deemed necessary.

4.1.3 An outline of the operational response for an AECL-CRL emergency is given in Figures 4.1 (Onsite Emergency) and 4.2 (General Emergency) and an overview of the operational actions required for Activation (Partial and Full) is given in sections 4.3 and 4.4 below.

4.1.4 Principles of other operational response measures are provided in sections 4.5 through 4.13.

Figure 4.1: Initial provincial response onsite emergency

  • Onsite notification
  • Partial activation response
  • PEOC/MEOC consider initiating public alerting
  • Emergency bulletins / emergency information
  • PEOC considers protective and precautionary measures
    • Full activation to implement measures
      • Emergency bulletins/EI Re: protective and precautionary measures
      • Consider provincial emergency declaration
      • Ongoing assessments
      • PEOC considers additional measures
    • Ongoing assessments
      • Terminate emergency

Download printer-friendly version of Figure 4.1 (JPEG, 82 KB).

Figure 4.2: Initial provincial response general emergency

  • General emergency notification
  • Full activation response
  • Public alerting
  • Emergency bulletin | Emergency information
    • For sheltering of Primary Zone evacuation of River Sector 11
  • Consider provincial emergency declaration
  • Ongoing assessments: PEOC considers other measures as appropriate
  • Issue emergency bulletin(s) (as appropriate)

Download printer-friendly version of Figure 4.2 (JPEG, 67 KB).

4.2 Overview of operations - activation response

4.2.1 The PEOC receives notification of an emergency from AECL-CRL

4.2.2 The PEOC notifies the municipal and other contact points and passes on the initial provincial response, based on the notification category received.

4.2.3 If an Onsite Emergency notification is received, the response will be Partial Activation. No immediate protective measures are required.

4.2.4 If a General Emergency notification is received, the response adopted will be Full Activation, public alerting will be initiated and sheltering of the Primary Zone and clearance of River Sector 11 will be required as immediate protective measures.

4.2.5 In the event of a Full Activation response, the PEOC will advise government whether declaration of a provincial emergency is warranted.

4.2.6 The initial actions to be undertaken depend on whether the response initiated is Partial Activation (section 4.3) or Full Activation (section 4.4 below).

4.3 Partial activation

4.3.1 The general sequence of actions required to be taken by the PEOC for a Partial Activation response is likely to be as follows:

  1. Notification of the emergency management organization and set up and full staffing of emergency operations centres (paragraph 3.7.3).
  2. Technical assessments of the accident situation and its projected effects as described in paragraph 4.3.2 below.
  3. Consideration and discussion with the municipal EOC, of the advisability of initiating the public alerting system
  4. Taking into consideration the results of (c) above, assess the need to issue an Emergency Bulletin.
  5. Decisions on precautionary and protective measures and implementation as described in paragraph 4.3.3 below.

4.3.2 Technical assessments

The Scientific Section of the PEOC shall undertake the following assessment for input into the Command Section decision making process:

  1. The accident and its prognosis

    As soon as possible, an evaluation shall be made by the Scientific Section's Nuclear Incident Group, of the initiating accident/event and the status of relevant facility systems. Based on this, an assessment shall then be made of the likely development of the situation in respect of both positive and negative outcomes. This shall continue as an ongoing process.

4.3.3 Implementation of protective measures

  1. The PEOC will upgrade to a Full Activation response prior to directing the implementation of protective measures.
  2. Assessment of protective measures
    1. Based on the information received from the CRL Environmental Group, the Scientific Section will prepare on assessment regarding the need to implement protective measures.
    2. The PEOC, through the Command Section, shall provide directions, regarding the operational directives (or, in the event of a declared emergency, shall advise that such orders have been made) to the designated municipality, host and support municipalities and the nuclear facility.
  3. Emergency bulletins – protective measures

    Once all relevant stakeholders have been informed and implementation of the necessary actions may begin, the PEOC shall issue an Emergency Bulletin informing the affected public.

  4. Precautionary Measures

    The PEOC shall consider the advisability of issuing operational directives (or, in the event of a declared emergency, advising that such orders have been made) for any or all of the following precautionary measures in the Primary Zone (or part thereof) and adjacent areas:

    1. Closing of beaches, parks, recreation areas, etc.
    2. Closing of workplaces and schools
    3. Suspension of admissions of non-critical patients in hospitals
    4. Entry control (section 4.5)
    5. Clearing the milk storage of dairy farms
    6. Banning consumption of any item of food or water that may have been exposed outdoors
    7. Banning consumption and export of locally produced milk, meat, produce, milk-and meat-producing animals
    8. Removing milk- and meat-producing animals from outside pasture and exposed water sources.

4.4 Full activation

4.4.1 A Full Activation response will be considered or initiated under the following circumstances:

  1. Automatically upon receipt of a General Emergency notification
  2. At a later stage of an emergency due to a sudden deterioration.

4.4.2 For a situation such as paragraph 4.4.1 (a) there will be an urgent need for the affected public to take protective measures. It is unlikely that there will be time to assemble adequate information and carry out a detailed assessment. Action shall be taken based on the best information readily available, and according to the guidelines given below:

Sequence of action

  1. If the PEOC receives a General Emergency notification from AECL-CRL (and time is not available for an initial scientific assessment) the Duty Operations Chief shall take the following immediate actions:
    1. Initiate a Full Activation provincial response
    2. Direct public alerting to be initiated and inform the designated municipality of the operational directives being issued (or, in the event of a declared emergency advise of such orders being made) as per (iii) below.
    3. Issue the relevant Emergency Bulletin to the broadcast media for sheltering of the Primary Zone and clearance of River Sector 11.
    4. As soon as the Scientific Section is assembled, it shall undertake a rapid technical assessment to determine what further protective measures are required (paragraph 4.4.4 below).
    5. Technical assessments shall be repeated on a continuous basis and further operational directives will be issued (or, in the event of a declared emergency, it shall be advised that such orders have been made) as appropriate.
  2. If the Full Activation response is initiated as a result of an escalation of an event in progress, the sequence of action will be as per paragraph 4.4.2 (a) with the exception being that the operational directives being issued (or, in the event of a declared emergency, advice that such orders have been made) will be based on the ongoing technical assessments of the Scientific Section.

4.4.3 Technical assessments

  1. Main Issues to be Assessed

    The main issues arising at the commencement of this scenario are:

    1. If an emission is not occurring, when is it likely to commence?
    2. Which response sectors are likely to be affected by the ongoing or imminent emission, and thus may require the application of immediate protective measures?

    The Scientific Section procedures shall detail how these assessments will be made.

  2. Condition of facility systems

    Table 4.3 gives two main categories for the condition of facility systems.

    Based on the information available, the Scientific Section shall make the following assessments:

    1. Which set of baseline protective measures in Table 4.3 best matches the current conditions.
    2. Whether current meteorological conditions warrant any change to the distance out to which protective measures are advised under Table 4.3.
    3. Which are the sectors likely to be affected by the plume.
    4. Table 4.3 Guidelines provide a baseline for making appropriate judgements. However, if time and adequate information are not available, they may be used as default measures.
  3. Variation in conditions

    In an actual event the estimate of facility conditions may not conform exactly to the conditions given in Table 4.3. In such a case the baseline/default protective measures area, given in the table, may be appropriately modified.

  4. Exposure levels
    1. The Scientific Section shall make an estimate as to whether the dose in any sector(s) is likely to require the activation of the Radiation Health Response Plan (paragraph 4.4.5 below).
    2. The decision to activate the MOHLTC Radiation Health Response Plan will be made by the MOHLTC in coordination with the PEOC.
  5. Subsequent Technical Assessments

    As more data and projections become available, the Scientific Section shall continuously update the assessments made in order to establish whether any additional protective measures are required.

4.4.4 Immediate protective measures

  1. Decision-making
    1. The Command Section, PEOC will consider the implementation of appropriate immediate precautionary and protective measures and the appropriate operational directives (or, in the event of a declared emergency, advice of such orders) will be communicated via Emergency Bulletin.
    2. Command Section decisions taken will be based on advice from the Scientific Section (paragraph 4.4.2 above) as well as on operational and public policy consideration.

    Some guidance on the implementation of these measures is given below.

  2. Precautionary measures

    See paragraph 4.3.3 (d).

  3. Evacuation and personal monitoring and decontamination
    1. If evacuations are being undertaken during an emission, the first priority shall be to leave the affected area as quickly as possible. If conditions permit, evacuees will be advised (via Emergency Bulletin) to go to a facility for monitoring and decontamination. However, if that is not possible, evacuees should be advised to go to a destination of their own choice and once there, decontaminate themselves by bagging their old clothes, showering, washing their hair, and putting on a fresh change of clothes.
    2. Details for decontamination shall be provided through the Emergency Bulletins as will the location of facilities where evacuees may go for follow-up assurance monitoring for radioactive contamination.
  4. Thyroid blocking
    1. The decision to issue an operational directive for thyroid blocking will be made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, in coordination with the PEOC.
    2. Details regarding thyroid blocking are provided in the MOHLTC's Radiation Health Response Plan.
  5. Sheltering
    1. Sheltering will likely be directed upon a Full Activation Response for the entire Primary Zone land sectors (1-10).
    2. If, however, only the inner ring (sectors 1-5) is directed to shelter, consultation shall be undertaken between the PEOC and Municipal EOC to consider the advisability of opening Highway 17 in that area to traffic. Such considerations shall include assurances that public health and safety will not be compromised by such an action.
    3. If the need for sheltering is likely to be required for more than 24 hours, consideration will be given to evacuating those sectors under the operational directive for sheltering.
    4. Campers, boaters and other recreationalists should be evacuated from recreational areas in the event of an operational directive for sheltering for that area.

4.4.5 Radiation Health Response Plan

If it is estimated that the radiation dose in any sector is likely to be significant, as determined by the Scientific Section in consultation with the MOHLTC EOC, the appropriate provisions of the Radiation Health Response Plan shall be implemented by the MOHLTC.

4.4.6 Subsequent Measures

Technical and operational assessments shall be repeated on a continuous basis and additional protective, precautionary and operational measures shall be considered by the PEOC, and implemented as appropriate via operational directive (or, in the event of a declared emergency, shall advise that such orders have been made). (See sections 4.5 – 4.13 for guidance).

4.5 Entry control

4.5.1 Management of the main traffic 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 Joint Traffic Control Centre (JTCC) via the MCSCS representative in the PEOC. If required, an OPP representative will also be provided.

4.5.2 In the event of an emission, the PEOC should consider the following entry control measures and notify the proper authority(ies) for implementation as appropriate:

  1. Suspension of through traffic on main road and rail routes going through the Primary Zone (Ottawa Valley Rail Link and Highway. 17).
  2. Suspension of marine traffic in Sector 11 (Ottawa River).
  3. Aircraft should be kept clear of the Primary Zone. A wider area may need to be closed to air traffic if there is widespread dispersion of radioactivity.

Once it is established that no significant radiation dose or contamination would be incurred while traversing these areas, these measures can be lifted.

4.5.3 Joint Traffic Control Plan

  1. This plan shall include provisions for preventing traffic on Highway 17 from entering the Primary Zone whenever Stage 2 of the plan is put into effect.
  2. Such through traffic shall be diverted around the Primary Zone via a pre-designated diversion route.
  3. Entry to emergency workers (who have tasks in the zone) shall be permitted on these routes.
  4. If main traffic routes are likely to remain closed for an extended period, the Joint Traffic Control Centre, under the guidance of the PEOC, shall implement alternative routing arrangements established prior to an event. Prior planning for this eventuality will minimize the disruption created by such closures.
  5. Full entry control should be implemented for sectors that are undergoing sheltering or that have been evacuated. However, access will be allowed to emergency workers who have tasks to perform in these sectors.
Table 4.3: Protective measures guidelines - major/significant emission
Condition of facility system Baseline/default protective measures

A. Intermediate to severe[*] NRU core damage with emission via the fully functioning Emergency Filtration System.
  • Shelter Primary Zone Land Sectors;
  • Evacuate River Sector

B. All other events or conditions likely to lead to an emission from any source, resulting in an abnormal, elevated source term.

No protective measures required.

[*] To be defined in the Scientific Section Procedures.

(For application, see paragraph 4.4.3)

4.6 Evacuation

While evacuation is not specifically foreseen as an initial protective measure under the scenarios anticipated by this plan, guidance is provided below in the event that this measure becomes necessary e.g., if sheltering is required beyond a reasonable time period or, if subsequent monitoring indicates the presence of appreciable ground contamination.

4.6.1 Directing Evacuations

  1. The Province will direct evacuations by response sector, groups of sectors, or rings detailing the boundaries of the evacuation area.
  2. If evacuees from a sector are evacuating from a contaminated area, they will be directed to proceed to a Monitoring and Decontamination Unit or to self-decontaminate upon reaching their destination. Information on locations for monitoring shall be provided.
  3. The Joint Traffic Control Centre will monitor the evacuating traffic and all concerned will be informed if certain routes should not be taken. See section 4.8.
  4. If only the inner ring (sectors 1-5) is required to evacuate or, if the evacuation order has been lifted from the outer ring, consultation will be undertaken between the PEOC and the Municipal EOC to consider the advisability of opening Highway 17 in that area to regular traffic. Such considerations will include assurances that public health and safety will not be compromised by such an action.

4.6.2 Evacuation Arrangements

  1. The Laurentian Hills/Deep River Municipal Plan shall include arrangements for mass evacuation transportation and/ or medical transfers.
  2. Medical assistance required during an evacuation is the responsibility of the emergency medical services and hospitals under municipal arrangements or mutual aid agreements and should be detailed in the Municipal Plan.
  3. The Municipal Plans of designated (Primary Zone and Host) municipalities, shall include details for the reception and care of evacuees.
  4. AECL-CRL will provide details regarding the monitoring and decontamination of evacuees in its emergency plan and associated procedures (see 4.6.3 below).
  5. Emergency plans of the schools in the Primary Zone should provide for the movement of staff and students to pre-arranged host schools and, if necessary, to Monitoring and Decontamination Units for prior monitoring and decontamination. Evacuated students are the responsibility of their school staff until collected from the host school by their guardians/parents.
  6. Emergency plans of hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions in the Primary Zone should include provisions for the transfer of staff/residents/patients to an appropriate facility outside the Primary Zone, with which prior arrangements have been made. Provisions should also be made to take staff/residents/patients to Monitoring and Decontamination Units, if necessary.

    As it may not be possible or desirable to evacuate some of these persons, special arrangements shall be made for the care of staff/residents/patients remaining behind, as identified in the Municipal Plan.

4.6.3 AECL-CRL - Evacuation

AECL-CRL prepares its own evacuation plans for non-essential onsite personnel. The PEOC and MEOC will be advised by when an evacuation of the CRL site is deemed necessary.

4.7 Thyroid blocking

4.7.1 It is the responsibility of AECL-CRL to procure adequate quantities of KI pills for the Primary Zone population (PNERP Master Plan, paragraph 5.11.1 and Annex I Appendix 13).

4.7.2 Thyroid blocking is not foreseen as an initial protective action under the scenarios anticipated. However, in the event that this measure does become necessary as the response unfolds, designated municipalities shall detail in their plans the means by which they will facilitate:

  1. Availability of KI pills for Primary Zone institutions and for emergency centres (Emergency Worker, Reception and Evacuee Centres and MDUs).
  2. Availability of KI pills for any members of the Primary Zone population who may wish to possess a supply.

4.7.3 Other operational responsibilities regarding Thyroid Blocking (stocking, distribution and administration) are prescribed in the Radiation Health Response Plan, as prepared by MOHLTC.

4.7.4 The decision to implement the administration of KI will be taken by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

4.8 Traffic control

4.8.1 A Joint Traffic Control Plan shall be developed for the Primary Zone as well as the main roads entering it. During an emergency, the Joint Traffic Control Centre (JTCC) (paragraph 2.7.3) shall be responsible for implementing the Joint Traffic Control Plan (section 1.4).

4.8.2 The traffic control plan shall be designed to allow implementation in three incremental stages:

  1. Stage 1. Automatically initiated as soon as the traffic control plan is activated. The aim in this stage shall be to keep traffic flowing smoothly on the main evacuation routes and, to ensure that these routes remain open.
  2. Stage 2. Initiated when it appears likely that the emergency may require evacuations or, when spontaneous evacuations begin to occur. Traffic shall be prevented from entering the Primary Zone on the main evacuation routes and shall instead be diverted around it (local traffic can still enter the Primary Zone on other routes). However, access should be allowed to emergency workers who have tasks to perform in the Primary Zone. Stage 1 measures will continue.
  3. Stage 3. Initiated when it appears that particular sectors are likely to be evacuated. Additional resources shall be deployed to ensure that evacuations proceed smoothly beyond the Primary Zone boundary. Stages 1 and 2 measures will continue.

4.8.3 The timing and order of sector evacuations will be determined by the PEOC, in coordination with the Municipal EOC and the JTCC.

4.8.4 The traffic control plan shall provide, where applicable, for the priority evacuation of any Response Sector(s) (paragraph 4.6.2), if and when ordered.

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

4.9 Radiation Monitoring

4.9.1 Radiation monitoring surveys shall be carried out, under the direction of the Scientific Section of the PEOC, in order to determine the following information:

  1. (a) Exposure rates and contamination levels
  2. (b) Identification of radionuclides
  3. (c) Appropriate sampling locations

4.9.2 Monitoring and data analysis details shall be provided in the operating procedures of the Scientific Section and the groups operating under it (Nuclear Incident, Environmental Radiation Monitoring, Assurance Monitoring, and General Province-Wide Monitoring Groups).

4.9.3 Field monitoring resources

Upon request from the PEOC's Scientific Section, Environmental Radiation Monitoring Group, Health Canada will arrange aerial monitoring to determine the path of the radioactive plume and the location of ground contamination. This will support ground monitoring positioning and deployment.

4.9.4 Nuclear Facility Off-Site Monitoring

  1. AECL-CRL teams will carry out ground monitoring for plume exposure control purposes in the Primary Zone:
  2. The Nuclear Incident Group of the Scientific Section will be responsible for the analysis of the data resulting from these surveys.

4.9.5 Provincial agencies

  1. Assurance Monitoring Group

    Headed by the Radiation Protection Service of the Ministry of Labour, this group implements monitoring programs in areas adjacent to a radioactive release which do not require protective measures against radiation. The Programs are aimed at assuring the public that air, food and water are safe (refer to MOL Assurance/General Province-Wide Monitoring Group Plan).

  2. General Province-Wide Monitoring Group

    Headed by the Radiation Protection Service of the Ministry of Labour, this group monitors province-wide sampling to determine the extent of radionuclide dispositions and foodstuff contamination (refer to MOL Assurance/General Province-Wide Monitoring Group Plan).

4.10 Ingestion control measures

4.10.1 Before an emission commences, appropriate ingestion control measures will be directed as a precaution within and, if necessary, adjacent to the Primary Zone (paragraph 4.3.3).

4.10.2 If general province-wide monitoring indicates the need, appropriate ingestion control measures will be considered in areas known or suspected to be contaminated.

4.10.3 Based on the data produced by ground monitoring, additional ingestion control measures will be considered, where necessary, while the original precautionary measures may be lifted where appropriate.

4.11 Emergency worker safety

4.11.1 At the commencement of an emergency resulting in the full activation of this plan, the Response Sectors in the Primary Zone will be assumed to carry the following safety status (PNERP Master Plan, Annex H), based on the category of the notification initiated by AECL-CRL:
All sectors - ORANGE

4.11.2 As soon as relevant data is available, the PEOC will reassign safety status to all the sectors and will update them periodically.

4.11.3 During the course of an emission over the land areas of the Primary Zone this updating will be done on an hourly basis. The safety status of sectors should be promptly communicated by the PEOC to all concerned.

4.11.4 It is the responsibility of each organization with emergency workers operating or required to operate in the Primary Zone to ensure that they are kept apprised of the latest/current safety status of Response Sectors.

4.11.5 The Municipal Plan shall provide for the setting up of Emergency Worker Centres (EWCs), as appropriate (see PNERP Master Plan, section 5.13 and paragraph 6.7.8).

4.11.6 AECL-CRL is responsible for the monitoring and decontamination aspect of EWCs, the relevant details of which will be provided in their plans/procedures.

4.11.7 Emergency workers who need to enter a sector assigned a safety status other than GREEN should first report to an EWC, where they will be provided with personal monitoring devices and briefed on the precautions they should observe and any maximum time limit on their stay in the sector (see paragraph 4.11.1 above).

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

  1. Dosimetry
  2. Stable iodine (KI)
  3. A card listing the default safety status of sectors (paragraph 4.11.1 above) and the precautions to be taken for each safety status (PNERP Master Plan, Annex H).

The Municipal Plan shall detail how these emergency services will obtain these items, appropriately store them, and maintain such equipment so that it is readily available when needed. AECL-CRL is to provide assistance in obtaining and maintaining (i) and (ii) above.

4.12 Public direction

4.12.1 Directions to the public on the measures they should take to ensure their safety and welfare during the emergency should be issued only by the PEOC. All other jurisdictions/organizations which have a need to issue any such directives/ advisories should forward them to the PEOC, and not issue them directly to the public.

4.12.2 Emergency Bulletins

  1. For public purposes, the PEOC will issue its operational directives in the form of Emergency Bulletins.
  2. To the extent possible, Emergency Bulletins sh ould be prepared in advance of an emergency.
  3. Emergency Bulletins will be issued to the broadcast media. Copies will also be sent to the principal elements of the emergency response organization that may be affected by them.
  4. It shall be the responsibility of the PEOC Emergency Information Section to monitor the broadcast of the Emergency Bulletins and confirm that they have been correctly transmitted.

4.13 Emergency Information

4.13.1 Lower Level Response

When the offsite response adopted is Routine Monitoring or Enhanced Monitoring (Table 3.2) all news releases on the event, 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).

4.13.2 Higher Level Response

  1. When the offsite response adopted is Partial or Full Activation, (Table 3.2), the Director of Communications Branch, MCSCS, assumes his/her role as PCEIO, establishing the Provincial Emergency Information Section (EIS), on behalf of the Province.
  2. The designated municipalities, the nuclear operator and the federal government will each have their own emergency information operation.
  3. In order to ensure the coordination and consistency of all emergency information issued to the public, these other jurisdictions or organizations should inform the Provincial EIS if they plan to issue news releases or other emergency information materials. Conversely, the PEIS will liaise with these organizations regarding the materials being issued by them.

4.13.3 The Provincial Emergency Information Section (EIS)

  1. The Provincial EIS is responsible for ensuring 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. In that regard, wherever possible and practicable, information will be shared amongst all partners prior to release
  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 the Municipal EIC 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, when possible.
    5. Sending a liaison officer(s) to the Municipal EIC, if so requested and practicable.

4.13.4 Municipal Emergency Information Centre (EIC)

  1. The designated (Primary Zone) municipality will establish an EIC 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 (Primary Zone) municipality may invite the nuclear operator, neighbouring municipalities, federal and/or 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 informed regarding the development and distribution of news releases and other public information documents to local residents and media;
    3. Keeping the PEIS 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; and
    6. Arranging media briefings as required to communicate"key messages" to the public.

4.13.5 Public inquiry

  1. Provincial public inquiry lines, using the Ontario Shared Services (OSS) call centre, will be coordinated by the Provincial Emergency Information Section (PEIS) in conjunction with the PEOC.
  2. The designated municipalities will be responsible for establishing their own public inquiry operation.

4.14 Transition to the recovery phase

4.14.1 Criteria

The PEOC can end the Response Phase of the emergency at any time after both the following conditions are met:

  1. The nuclear reactor that had the accident is in a guaranteed shutdown state.
  2. No further controlled or uncontrolled emissions at significant levels are anticipated. Generally, emissions shall be considered below a significant level if:
    1. They do not warrant the taking of any exposure control protective measures, and
    2. They do not adversely affect public safety.

The recovery phase is prescribed separately.