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Nuclear Emergency Classification Levels
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Preparedness
for commercial nuclear power plants includes a system for
notifying the public if a problem occurs at a plant. The
emergency classification level of the problem is defined by
these four categories |
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Classification Levels |
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Notification of Unusual
Event
is the least serious
of the four levels. The
event poses no threat to
you or to plant
employees, but emergency
officials are notified.
No action by the public
is necessary.
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Alert
is declared when an event
has occurred that could reduce
the plant's level of safety, but
backup plant systems still work.
Emergency agencies are notified
and kept informed, but no action
by the public is necessary.
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Site Area Emergency
is declared when an event
involving major problems with
the plant's safety systems has
progressed to the point that a
release of some radioactivity
into the air or water is
possible, but is not expected to
exceed Environmental Protection
Agency Protective Action
Guidelines (PAGs) beyond the
site boundary. Thus, no action
by the public is necessary.
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General Emergency
is the most serious of the four
classifications and is declared
when an event at the plant has
caused a loss of safety systems.
If such an event occurs,
radiation could be released that
would travel beyond the site
boundary. State and local
authorities will take action to
protect the residents living
near the plant. The alert and
notification system will be
sounded. People in the affected
areas could be advised to
evacuate promptly or, in some
situations, to shelter in place.
When the sirens are sounded, you
should listen to your radio,
television and tone alert radios
for site-specific information
and instructions. |
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