Conducting Drills

DOE-HDBK-1099-96

7. CONDUCTING DRILLS

When conducting drills the process should always be the same. The reason a set process

should be followed is to minimize risking injury to personnel, or damage to equipment or the

environment. A part of the drill process is contacting outside organizations such as the fire

department, safeguards and security, and emergency response units. They should be notified

when drills are to commence, and to respond or not to respond as required by the drill scenario.

Included in the notification of these organizations should be how they will be notified in the event

of an actual facility abnormal condition. Conduct of drills includes the pre-drill briefing, drill

initiation, and drill performance.

7.1 Pre-drill Briefing

The drill coordinator should hold a pre-drill briefing with the selected drill evaluators, safety

monitors, observers, and visitors to discuss each person's role, past problems encountered, and

any safety considerations. The drill coordinator should discuss each section of the scenario,

including specific instructions concerning intervention points, and answer any questions team

members may have. The drill coordinator should also discuss how drill termination will be

identified for both normal and abnormal conditions and how the facility will be restored.

7.2 Drill Initiation

The drill should be initiated by either the drill coordinator or by a drill team member in accordance

with the drill scenario. Drill initiation can be coordinated by either time or event. The exact

actions for the drill initiation should be identified. An example of an exact action is "Open breaker

DC-34-BAC located in electrical panel DC-03-4. An alarm will immediately sound on the auxiliary

pump control board indicating the loss of #3 pump control circuit." If an announcement is to be

made that initiates the drill, the wording should be stated in the drill initiation section of the drill

scenario and include the words "This is a drill."