By Erica Smith The Decatur Daily, Ala. (TNS) & Tribune Media Services
TVA is mailing out calendars with information on nuclear emergencies to all residents who live within a 10-mile radius of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
The calendars should arrive by Christmas, officials said.
“There is so much information in here on evacuation routes, preparing schools, where the emergency shelters are, and the nuclear classifications, how nuclear power works in general,” Tennessee Valley Authority spokesman Scott Fiedler said. “Be aware and be prepared; this is one of those things that helps you prepare in the event of an emergency.”
Zach Baze, program manager of emergency preparedness offsite programs for TVA Nuclear, said Browns Ferry’s 10-mile radius emergency zone spans four counties: Morgan, Limestone, Lawrence and a small piece of Lauderdale.
There are four emergency classifications, with the third and fourth classifications being the most serious and requiring public action. If these levels of emergency are declared, a joint information center will be set up where the latest information will be given to media outlets.
Baze said the third classification is a site-area emergency. It is declared when a release of some radioactivity into the air or water is possible.
“That’s when we would be setting up the joint information center, getting the information out to people about what’s going on,” he said. “That’s when we would also sound sirens in the area for people to be able to listen to. Tune into your local news station, to your trusted media sources so you can get the correct information as it’s going out.”
The fourth classification is called a general emergency, Baze said, and would require the public to stay indoors or evacuate. It is declared when an event at the plant has caused a loss of several safety systems and could lead to a release of radiation.
“At general emergency, that is when we as a utility are required to make a protective action recommendation to the state on either sheltering or evacuating the public depending on what zone they’re in, which direction the wind’s blowing, things like that,” he said. “We as a utility make a recommendation. The state makes the decision as to what needs to happen to move people and to protect their health and safety.”
Baze said Browns Ferry takes numerous steps to deal with possible emergency situations.
“We drill and exercise very regularly and our operators train constantly to make sure that these situations stay more hypothetical,” he said. “Our operators are in training every five weeks, so there is constant training going on to help mitigate anything that might happen.”
Gregory Robinson, Alabama Emergency Management Agency director of communications, said it is important for people to prepare before an emergency event happens.
“Designate a trusted media source so you’ll know where to tune in, in case something happens,” he said. “Create some type of communication plan where if you have individuals who you have stewardship over that you’ve got to give directions to, make sure that you know how to communicate with them to let them know what’s going on. … Know what your evacuation zones are. If there’s a designated shelter in the calendar, know the location of the shelters.”
Robinson also recommends that everyone have a go kit.
“Put items in that you can pick up and take with you if you have to evacuate,” he said. “Each individual may have individual situations, things that they think they need to add to the go kits. If there’s a person who is taking some type of medications, they want to be sure they take some type of medication. If you’ve got some copies of some prescriptions, some type of identification in case you can’t go back to your home and you need a way to identify yourself and you need to get some prescriptions filled.”
Other items TVA recommends are personal health care products, blankets and pillows, cash, checkbook, credit cards, important papers and a change of clothing.
“You have to think about if you have a pet, you need to keep your pet secure or make your pet comfortable if you have to leave and go to a shelter,” Robinson said. “Find out whether or not the shelters are pet-friendly shelters.”
