Emergency preparedness exercises today

State, county and local officials from five counties in the area around Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) at London, Arkansas, will be participating with Entergy in an exercise of emergency response plans today, Wednesday, April 11. The practice area includes Conway, Pope, Logan, Johnson, and Yell counties.

As part of the exercise, field teams from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) will be testing their ability to collect samples and monitor the environment for radiation. The teams will be in marked state vehicles and team members will have identification. Teams will also practice communications and response systems with county judges and municipal officials who would have responsibility for parts of the area involved in an actual response to an emergency at the plant.

These exercises are held every two years in accordance with Federal regulations.

The ADH Nuclear Planning and Response Program is responsible for planning for and responding to actual emergencies involving ANO near Russellville. The program works with the four counties within 10 miles of ANO which could be subject to evacuation or other protective measures in the event of an emergency. The program also works with Conway County, which would host evacuees from the Russellville area.

In addition to responding in the event of a radiation emergency other program functions include:

· Development of Emergency Response Plans

· Maintenance and Operation of the Emergency Warning System

· Maintenance and Operation of the communication system used to notify state agencies and local governments of emergencies

· Continuous Environmental Monitoring and Sampling around ANO

· Education of the Public about Emergency Plans and health effects of radiation

· Training of Emergency Workers who would respond to a radiation emergency Maintenance of equipment and supplies necessary to support emergency operations for state and local agencies