13
TRAINING AND EXERCISES
13.1 Introduction
It is essential that basic instruction and periodic training of emergency organisation personnel should be carried out in order to ensure that the contingency plan can be implemented effectively. Basic instruction should include information on the emergency plan, the organisation, and those procedures of particular relevance to the trainee. It should also include instruction on the operation of the appropriate equipment. Records should be kept of all training given.
Exercises and practices may vary in scope from limited practices and drills for sections of the organisation (eg mobile survey teams) up to full-scale exercises involving the whole organisation in simulated emergency conditions. Such drills and exercises should be used to maintain and improve the proficiency of the teams in their particular tasks and in operations co-ordinated with other sections. Exercises will also test the adequacy of the plans, communications, and equipment, and should be evaluated to correct deficiencies and improve the overall
emergency response.
Advice in this Section is compatible with guidance given by the International Atomic Energy Authority in the relevant sections of the IAEA Safety Series Document No 73 (Ref 40).
13.2 Training
Appreciation of the Contingency Plan
All members of the organisation will require general information on the Contingency Plan before it is put into effect, so that they understand their individual roles in relation to the objectives of the organisation as a whole. It is envisaged that the more senior members of the organisation who have been involved in the development of the Plan will carry out such training through lectures and talks to groups of personnel. An individual should be identified as being responsible for co-ordinating and keeping records of such training. As well as ensuring that junior members of the organisation are fully informed, it is important that senior staff who have not been closely involved in development of the Plan are made aware of their own, and their department's, involvement in the
emergency arrangements.
In the case of the supporting organisations, listed in chapter 12, responsible staff from each organisation should draft appropriate standing orders to cover their organisation's role in a radiological emergency and staff should be instructed in their individual duties. Records of such training should be maintained.
It is possible that during the phase of initial instruction, practical problems with implementation of the Contingency Plan may be pointed out, or suggestions put forward for improving its efficacy. If due regard is accorded to such suggestions at the early stage it will not only prevent problems from arising during subsequent exercises, but it will enhance the involvement and commitment of members of the organisation.
It is also likely that at this stage personnel assigned to the emergency organisation will raise questions regarding their personal safety in the event of an accident occurring and their being called on to undertake emergency duties. Those concerned can be confidently assured that the distance of the Daya Bay plant from Hong Kong means that any risk will be small compared to other risks met in everyday life and this risk will be kept as low as reasonably practical, (see Section 12.14). However, their efforts could be effective in reducing the risk of health detriment to the population as a whole.
It is important that after the phase of initial familiarisation of the original members of the emergency organisation
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