Annex D Initial notification and response system for nuclear emergencies

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(Reference: Paragraph 5.2.1)

1.0 Initial Notification

1.1 Initial notification for a nuclear emergency is defined as the notification made by the reactor facility to designated off-site authorities whenever an event occurs or conditions arise, which require such notification under the prescribed criteria.

1.2 In Ontario, the designated off-site authority is the PEOC Commander on behalf of the province.

1.3 Initial notifications are also made to the Designated Municipalities within the Detailed Planning Zone and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of the initial notification and response system is:

1. To inform off-site authorities of the fact that a notifiable event or situation has occurred at the reactor facility, and
2. To provide an indication to all stakeholders as to the appropriate initial off-site response in the initial stage (Paragraph 4.8 below) of an emergency.

3.0 Application

The specific initial notification criteria and provincial response level for each reactor facility is described in the applicable site-specific implementing plan to this PNERP.

4.0 System Outline

4.1 In accordance with federal law and regulations under which they operate, the reactor facility's nuclear emergency response plan shall include provisions to:

1. Notify off-site authorities of an accidental release or the imminence of an accidental release.
2. Describe how these events are determined and categorized.
3. Describe the immediate notification process.

4.2 A site-specific initial notification and response system has been developed, in consultation with each Ontario nuclear operator, to facilitate a timely emergency notification categorization which corresponds to initial provincial and municipal response actions.

4.3 Whenever any of the notification criteria, as presented in the implementing plans, require it, the reactor facility shall make a notification to the designated provincial and municipal contact points within 15 minutes of categorizing the event.

4.4 The notification message from the reactor facility shall include the notification category. Where more than one criterion are applicable, the highest category triggered shall be reported in the notification. The notification message shall not be delayed to permit an accurate assessment of the applicable category.

4.5 Within 15 minutes of the receipt of the notification, the PEOC Commander shall decide on the initial response level to be adopted. This level should normally be the one linked to the notification category received (as indicated in Appendix 1 to this Annex) unless another level is judged to be more appropriate.

4.6 The PEOC shall notify the Designated Municipality and other organizations as appropriate, as to the level of initial response. Contiguous states and provinces shall only be notified of an Abnormal Incident notification or higher (Section 5.0 below).

4.7 If during the initial stage (Paragraph 4.8 below) of an emergency, the assessment of the on-site situation changes to warrant a different category than the one initially notified, the reactor facility shall immediately issue a change to the notification category to the designated provincial and municipal contact points.

4.8 The initial stage of an emergency is defined as the earlier of:

1. The first 4 hours after the initial notification, or
2. Once ongoing reporting by the reactor facility EOC to the Scientific Section of the PEOC is established.

4.9 The PEOC Commander can, at any time, direct that a change be made to the Provincial Response level.

4.10 Reactor facilities cannot terminate or cancel a nuclear emergency notification once an initial notification has been made.

4.11 The PEOC Commander may terminate the nuclear emergency off-site response when appropriate and notify all stakeholders. At that time, any notifications made by the reactor facility shall lapse.

5.0 Ontario Notification Categories and Associated Response

5.1 The triggering criteria for the notification categories used by the reactor facilities are given in the relevant implementing plans. The notification category and default initial off-site response for each is given in Appendix 1 to this Annex.

5.2 Reportable Event:

1. An event affecting the reactor facility which would be of concern to the off-site authorities responsible for public safety.
2. Provincial and municipal duty staff should respond as per routine monitoring.

5.3 Abnormal Incident:

1. An abnormal occurrence at the reactor facility which may have a significant cause, and/or may lead to more serious consequences.
2. Provincial and municipal emergency response staff should respond as per enhanced monitoring and monitor the situation from their respective emergency operations centres. Other provincial and municipal staff are notified to remain available to report for duty.

5.4 On-site Emergency:

1. A serious malfunction which results or may result in an atmospheric release of radioactive material or is likely to result in a release at a later time.
2. Provincial and municipal emergency response staff and emergency operation centres shall respond as per partial or full activation depending on the absence or presence of an ongoing or imminent release.
3. Municipal off-site centres shall be set up, then staffed as required.
4. The EIC, UTCC and municipal off-site centres shall be set up and staffed.

5.5 General Emergency:

1. An ongoing or imminent atmospheric release of radioactive material as a result of a more severe accident.
2. Response plans and organizations shall be fully activated and, if necessary, appropriate default protective measures are taken, as described in the applicable Implementing Plan. Full Activation.

6.0 USA Notification Categories and Associated Response

6.1 Unusual Event; criteria and response are as per Reportable Event Section 5.2 above.

6.2 Alert; criteria and response are as per Abnormal Incident Section 5.3 above.

6.3 Site Area Emergency; criteria and response are as per On-Site Emergency Section 5.4 above.

6.4 General Emergency; criteria and response are as per General Emergency Section 5.5 above.

7.0 Implementation of Notification and Response System

The Fire Marshal and Chief, Emergency Management, shall issue any detailed instructions necessary in order to ensure that this notification and response system is effectively implemented. The provincial response provisions of this system shall be reflected in the emergency plans and procedures of the organizations with responsibilities under this plan (Annex I).

Appendix 1 Initial provincial and municipal response levels