(Ref: Section 2.9)

1.0 General

1.1 This Annex gives an outline of the general structure of the U.S. response to an incident considered in this plan, and the responsibilities and functions of the various agencies involved.

1.2 The roles and actions of state and local governments are prescribed in their emergency plans, while those of federal agencies are covered in the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex (NRIA) to the National Response Framework (NRF).

1.3 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the NRIA Annex to the NRF.

2.0 Federal Responsibility

2.1 Responsibility for coordinating Federal operations within the U.S. to prepare for, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters or other emergencies rests with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the principle federal official for domestic incident management. The Secretary is supported by other coordinating and cooperating agencies in his/her role as principle federal official.

2.2 However, for incidents at nuclear facilities which fall below the General emergency classification and are not as a result of a terrorist attack, the coordinating agency will be either the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for NRC licensed facilities or, the Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of Energy (DOE) for facilities owned or operated by these agencies.

2.3 Responsibilities of the main federal agencies involved in a nuclear/radiological response are described in Appendix 1 to this Annex.

3.0 State Responsibility

3.1 The state Governor provides direction and control of off-site emergency activities and is responsible for the safety of its citizens.

3.2 The state Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will set up an EOC and, in the Governor's absence, the executive lead of the EMA will provide direction and control and carry out the state's response to protect public health and safety during a nuclear emergency.

3.3 The state EMA will request federal assistance and make requests for emergency and disaster declarations.

3.4 During an emergency, the state EMA dispatches representatives to the incident utility's Emergency Operations facility (EOF), the Local Government Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Joint Information Centre (JIC) and provides field radiological measurements, accident assessment information and recommends protective action responses.

4.0 Local Government Responsibility

4.1 Based upon state and nuclear facility recommendations, local governments have decision-making control over the entire local emergency response effort.

4.2 The local government will activate and staff an EOC to coordinate the emergency response effort at that level.

5.0 Nuclear Facility Responsibility

5.1 The nuclear facility at which the accident/event occurs is responsible for:

  1. Notifying local, state and federal authorities (Annex D outlines the notification categories used).
  2. If necessary, providing recommendations on protective actions to state and/or county officials.
  3. Controlling the onsite situation, taking all necessary measures to minimize radiation exposure of the public, and returning the facility to a safe condition.

5.2 Corporate Emergency Operations Facility (CEOF)

The nuclear facility activates its CEOF from which the response to the emergency is controlled and directed, and other facility responsibilities carried out.

5.3 Joint Public Information Centre (JIC)

  1. The nuclear facility establishes and operates the JIC near the accident site.
  2. This centre serves as the main clearing house for emergency information to the media.
  3. Representatives at the JIC include:
    1. the nuclear facility
    2. the state
    3. local government
    4. federal agencies (coordinated by the NRC representative)

Appendix 1 - United States federal agencies

1.0 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

1.1 The NRC may become the Lead Federal Agency (LFA) under the Federal Plan, responsible for coordinating all federal on scene actions as well as federal assistance to States and local organizations.

1.2 However, if the President declares an emergency under the Stafford Act, the NRC role is to coordinate the management of the radiological response in support of the Federal Coordinating Officer (see paragraph 5.1 below).

1.3 The NRC oversees the onsite response, and can direct the nuclear facility to take certain actions, as necessary.

1.4 The NRC assists the state in the interpretation and analysis of technical information as a basis for making protective action decisions. If requested, the NRC will make protective action recommendations.

1.5 The NRC coordinates the release of federal information to the media and others. Most public information activities will be conducted from the Joint Information Centre (paragraph 4.3 above).

2.0 Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

2.1 If the President declares an emergency under the Stafford Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security is the principal Federal official responsible for the coordination of all Federal response activities.

2.2 Disaster Field Office (DFO)

The focal point for carrying out the response is the Disaster Field Office, which the agency establishes at an on scene location in consultation with State and local authorities. Other federal agencies provide representation at the DFO.

2.3 DHS coordinates and maintains the 24/7 joint-agency National Operations Centre (NOC).

3.0 Department of Energy (DOE)

3.1 The DOE coordinates offsite radiological monitoring and assessment during the initial phases of the emergency through the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Centre (see below).

3.2 Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Centre (FRMAC)

  1. The FRMAC is established by DOE at an appropriate on scene location to gather, evaluate, coordinate and disseminate field monitoring data.
  2. A key element of the FRMAC is the Aerial Measuring System which uses specially equipped fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to carry out radiological monitoring.
  3. Advisory Team

Based at the FRMAC, the Advisory Team for the Environment, Food and Health provides guidance and advice on matters associated with environmental, food and health issues. The Advisory Team consists of representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (section 4.0 below), the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services.

4.0 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

4.1 EPA is the coordinating agency for the Federal environmental response to incidents that occur at facilities not licensed, owned or operated by a federal agency or an Agreement State.

4.2 In the early stages of the emergency, the EPA provides assistance to DOE and, and in later stages will take over the management of the FRMAC from DOE (paragraph 3.2 above).