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Industry Commitment To Preparedness
Emergency preparedness at U.S. nuclear power plants is an integral part of daily operations. A commitment to excellence throughout the industry, coupled with continual training and testing, has produced a high level of preparedness.

For example:

• Emergency response plans are upgraded constantly through lessons learned from actual plan activations, as well as repeated drills, exercises and critiques.
• Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the industry has taken a wide range of steps to assess emergency preparedness programs. These include an industry-wide review of management oversight of plant programs and communications approaches. Emergency responders apply lessons learned to strengthen emergency preparedness.
• Training programs are conducted annually for all emergency response personnel. The National Nuclear Accrediting Board accredits training programs for operators and technical staff who use emergency operating procedures.
• Nuclear companies have built emergency response facilities and upgraded existing facilities to aid in effective handling of emergencies.
  

Advancements in communications technology have improved the ability to notify appropriate plant employees, emergency response personnel and the public if an event were to occur.

The nuclear industry supports state and local off-site emergency readiness by funding, in part, emergency response personnel, development of plans and procedures, facilities, equipment, training, and participation in drills and exercises.

In 2006, the industry paid $25 million to DHS for radiological emergency preparedness, and it paid $31 million for 2007.⁴

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⁴ Most recent data available.