Emergency Management in DOE

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

9.0

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

It is DOE policy that all DOE facilities and activities be prepared to respond to operational

emergencies in a way that minimizes consequences to workers, the public and the environment.

Formal emergency management programs are the final element of DOE's defense-in-depth against

adverse consequences resulting from its operations.

9.1

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN DOE

DOE Order 151.1 (DOE, 2000a) requires DOE elements and contractors to plan and prepare for the

management of emergencies. The following discussion of emergency management principles,

requirements and guidance is generally applicable to DOE plutonium facilities. Specific facility

requirements are in accordance with the individual facility DOE contract.

9.1.1 Key Emergency Management Principles

DOE emergency management policy and direction is based on four key principles: planning

and preparedness commensurate with hazards; integrated planning for health, safety and

environmental emergencies; classification of and graded response to emergencies, and;

multiple levels (tiers) of emergency management responsibility.

NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY: Within the EMS, "planning" includes the development of

emergency plans and procedures and the identification of personnel and resources necessary

to provide an effective response. "Preparedness" is the procurement and maintenance of

resources, training of personnel, and exercising of the plans, procedures, personnel and

resources. "Response" is the implementation of the plans during an emergency to mitigate

consequences and to effect recovery.

(a) Planning and Preparedness Commensurate with Hazards. Because of the wide

range of activities and operations under DOE's authority, standards and criteria suited

to one type of facility or hazard may be inappropriate for another. To deal with this

diversity, while assuring an adequate overall state of preparedness, DOE Orders specify

standards for the structure and features of emergency management plans and require

that the details of each feature be tailored to the unique hazards of the specific facility.

This approach ensures a more complete and quantitative understanding of the hazards

while providing for focused and cost-effective emergency planning and preparedness.

(b) Integrated Planning for Health, Safety and Environmental Emergencies. A wide

variety of different types of operational emergencies can occur at DOE operations.

Some may involve loss of control over radioactive or other hazardous materials unique

to DOE operations, while others may involve security, transportation activities, natural

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