Outdoor Indoor Siren

Appropriate Measures Taken in The Event of a Radiological Emergency - Radiation Plans and preparedness to Protect The Public Health and Safety

Since 1980, the United States have had procedures in place for what to do in the event of a nuclear accident. Each utility that owns a commercial nuclear power plant in the United States has been required to have both an onsite and offsite emergency response plan as a condition of obtaining and maintaining a license to operate that plant. Onsite emergency response plans are approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Offsite plans (which are closely coordinated with the utility's onsite emergency response plan) are evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and provided to the NRC, who must consider the FEMA findings when issuing or maintaining a license.

Federal law establishes the criterion for determining the adequacy of offsite planning and preparedness, i.e: "Plans and preparedness must be determined to adequately protect the public health and safety by providing reasonable assurance that appropriate measures can be taken offsite in the event of a radiological emergency."

Although construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated by the NRC, an accident, though unlikely, is possible. The potential danger from an accident at a nuclear power plant is exposure to radiation. This exposure could come from the release of radioactive material from the plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloud-like) formation. The area the radioactive release may affect is determined by the amount released from the plant, wind direction and speed and weather conditions (i.e., rain, snow, etc.) which would quickly drive the radioactive material to the ground, hence causing increased deposition of radionuclides.

In the Event of a Radiation Release
If a release of radiation occurs, the levels of radioactivity will be monitored by authorities from Federal and State governments, and the utility, to determine the potential danger in order to protect the public.

Federal, State and local officials work together to develop site-specific emergency response plans for nuclear power plant accidents. These plans are tested through exercises that include protective actions for schools and nursing homes.

The plans also delineate evacuation routes, reception centers for those seeking radiological monitoring and location of congregate care centers for temporary lodging.

State and local governments, with support from the Federal government and utilities, develop plans that include a plume emergency planning zone with a radius of 10 miles from the plant, and an ingestion planning zone within a radius of 50 miles from the plant.

Residents within the 10-mile emergency planning zone are regularly disseminated emergency information materials (via brochures, the phone book, calendars, utility bills, etc.). These materials contain educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for the handicapped, contacts for additional information, etc. Residents should be familiar with these emergency information materials.

Radiological emergency plans call for a prompt Alert and Notification system. If needed, this prompt Alert and Notification System will be activated quickly to inform the public of any potential threat from natural or man-made events. This system uses either sirens, tone alert radios, route alerting (the "Paul Revere" method), or a combination to notify the public to tune their radios or television to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station.

The EAS stations will provide information and emergency instructions for the public to follow. If you are alerted, tune to your local EAS station which includes radio stations, television stations, NOAA weather radio, and the cable TV system.

Special plans must be made to assist and care for persons who are medically disabled or handicapped. If you or someone you know lives within ten miles of a nuclear facility, please notify and register with your local emergency management agency. Adequate assistance will be provided during an emergency.

In the most serious case, evacuations will be recommended based on particular plant conditions rather than waiting for the situation to deteriorate and an actual release of radionuclides to occur.

Emergency Classification Levels

Preparedness for commercial nuclear power plants includes a system for notifying the public if a problem occurs at a plant. The emergency classification level of the problem is defined by these four categories:

Notification of Unusual Event is the least serious of the four levels. The event poses no threat to you or to plant employees, but emergency officials are notified. No action by the public is necessary.

Alert is declared when an event has occurred that could reduce the plant's level of safety, but backup plant systems still work. Emergency agencies are notified and kept informed, but no action by the public is necessary.

Site Area Emergency is declared when an event involving major problems with the plant's safety systems has progressed to the point that a release of some radioactivity into the air or water is possible, but is not expected to exceed Environmental Protection Agency Protective Action Guidelines (PAGs) beyond the site boundary. Thus, no action by the public is necessary.

General Emergency is the most serious of the four classifications and is declared when an event at the plant has caused a loss of safety systems. If such an event occurs, radiation could be released that would travel beyond the site boundary. State and local authorities will take action to protect the residents living near the plant. The alert and notification system will be sounded. People in the affected areas could be advised to evacuate promptly or, in some situations, to shelter in place. When the sirens are sounded, you should listen to your radio, television and tone alert radios for site-specific information and instructions.

If You Are Alerted

Remember that hearing a siren or tone alert radio does not mean you should evacuate. It means you should promptly turn to an EAS station to determine whether it is only a test or an actual emergency.

Tune to your local radio or television station for information. The warning siren could mean a nuclear power plant emergency or the sirens could be used as a warning for tornado, fire, flood, chemical spill, etc.

Check on your neighbors.

Do not call 911. Special rumor control numbers and information will be provided to the public for a nuclear power plant emergency, either during the EAS message, in the utilities' public information brochure, or both.

In a nuclear power plant emergency, you may be advised to go indoors and, if so, to close all windows, doors, chimney dampers, other sources of outside air, and turn off forced air heating and cooling equipment, etc.

If You Are Advised to Evacuate the Area

Stay calm and do not rush
Listen to emergency information
Close and lock windows and doors
Turn off air conditioning, vents, fans, and furnace
Close fire place dampers
Take a few items with you.

Gather personal items you or your family might need:

-Flash light and extra batteries
-Portable, battery operated radio and extra batteries
-First aid kit and manual
-Emergency food and water
-Essential medicines
-Cash and credit cards
-Use your own transportation or make arrangements to ride with a neighbor. Public transportation should be    available for those who have not made arrangements. Keep car windows and air vents closed and listen to a EAS radio station.

Follow the evacuation routes provided. If you need a place to stay, congregate care information will be provided.

If Advised to remain at Home
Bring pets inside
Close and lock windows and doors
Turn off air conditioning, vents, fans and furnace
Close fireplace dampers
Go to the basement or other underground area
Stay inside until authorities say it is safe

When Coming In From Outdoors

Shower and change clothing and shoes

Put items worn outdoors in a plastic bag and seal it.
The thyroid gland is vulnerable to the uptake of radioactive iodine. If a radiological release occurs at a nuclear power plant, States may decide to provide the public with a stable iodine, potassium iodide, which saturates the thyroid and protects it from the uptake of radioactive iodine. Such a protective action is at the option of State, and in some cases, local government.

Remember your neighbors may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

School Evacuations

If an incident involving an actual or potential radiological release occurs, consideration is given to the safety of the children. If an emergency is declared, students in the 10-mile emergency planning zone will be relocated to designated facilities in a safe area. Usually, as a precautionary measure, school children are relocated prior to the evacuation of the general public.

For Farmers and Home Gardeners

If a radiological incident occurs at the nuclear facility, periodic information concerning the safety of farm and home grown products will be provided. Information on actions you can take to protect crops and livestock is available from your agricultural extension agent.

Crops

Normal harvesting and processing may still be possible if time permits. Unharvested crops are hard to protect.

Crops already harvested should be stored inside if possible.

Wash and peel vegetables and fruits before use if they were not already harvested.

Livestock

Provide as much shelter as possible. Take care of milk-producing animals.

Provide plenty of food and water and make sure shelters are well-ventilated. Use stored feed and water, when possible.

Three Ways to Minimize Radiation Exposure

There are three factors that minimize radiation exposure to your body: Time, Distance, and Shielding.

Time--Most radioactivity loses its strength fairly quickly. Limiting the time spent near the source of radiation reduces the amount of radiation exposure you will receive. Following an accident, local authorities will monitor any release of radiation and determine the level of protective actions and when the threat has passed.

Distance--The more distance between you and the source of the radiation, the less radiation you will receive. In the most serious nuclear power plant accident, local officials will likely call for an evacuation, thereby increasing the distance between you and the radiation.

Shielding--Like distance, the more heavy, dense materials between you and the source of the radiation, the better. This is why local officials could advise you to remain indoors if an accident occurs. In some cases, the walls in your home or workplace would be sufficient shielding to protect you for a short period of time.

What you can do to stay informed:

Attend public information meetings. You may also want to attend post-exercise meetings that include the media and the public.

Contact local emergency management officials, who can provide information about radioactivity, safety precautions, and state, local, industry and federal plans.

Ask about the hazards radiation may pose to your family, especially with respect to young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Ask where nuclear power plants are located.

Learn your community's warning systems.

Learn emergency plans for schools, day care centers, nursing homes--anywhere family members might be.

Be familiar with emergency information materials that are regularly disseminated to your home (via brochures, the phone book, calendars, utility bills, etc.) These materials contain educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for the handicapped, contacts for additional information, etc.

You know the government isn't telling you everything! You know that the radiation from the Japanese Nuclear Reactors is getting spread across the entire planet!

Defense and Protection from Nuclear Threats (3 different books on this!)

Ways to Shield Yourself and your Family from Radiation

What Health Service Workers should do in the event of Radiation Disasters – shouldn't you know this information too?

Click Here => Radiation Safety Handbook

 

About the Author

This site will help you protect yourself from the Japanese Radiation Leak!

Why Go For Wholesale Burglar Alarm?

You can make most of your cash if you buy burglar alarms in wholesale. In a wholesale package, burglar alarms of different types are sorted to serve your home security needs. Most sellers of alarm systems give you more options with their offered packages, so you can be assured of a cost-effective deal.

The most common wholesale alarm systems include the following devices:

Control Panels

If the human body has the brain, your alarm system has the Control Panel. The Control Panel is the main processing body of the system. This is where the AC power, keypad, siren, and other elements of the security system are interconnected.

Keypads

Basically, keypads are connected to the main control. It displays the status of the burglar alarm system. Other features are available depending on the model of the keypad. Actually, there are four kinds of keypads you can select from. These are:

* LCD Alpha English Hardwired
* LED keypads
* Fixed display wired keypads
* Wireless keypads

Motion Detector

Motion detectors are mostly used if no one is home. They are pretty futile if you're at home. This gives you a little assurance that your home is safe even if you are away.

Motion detectors are commonly placed where the biggest area of the house floor can be seen.

Usually, they are installed facing the backside of the house. You may also decide to mount another detector in the hallway of the second floor. For additional security, you can set-up another unit in your bedroom.

Glass Break Detectors

Glass break detectors are usually installed throughout the first floor and the basement. These devices serve as your primary protection for your window and door switches.

Glass break detectors depend on the sounds that they hear? They easily react to sounds that may have potential threats. Smart models have excellent standards for sensitivity as well as immunity to misleading or fake alarms.

Outdoor and Indoor Siren

You have a wide selection as to where to place your sirens at home. Most people prefer fixing them in the attic vents, wall vents, under the eaves of the roofs, or a tall building side wall. You may also choose to put them above the closet or tall furniture, in the basement, and bedrooms.

When setting up a siren, just make sure that it will be out of reach of anybody who may try to remove it. However, if it can really be accessed, be sure that the unit has a built-in siren tamper. The alarm will automatically set off in case somebody tries to move the unit from the place where it is fixed.

Smoke Detectors

Some wholesale packages of burglar alarms are not just dedicated in handling intrusion, but as well as fire.

These devices are basically available in hardwired and wireless versions. Some alarm systems are made of combinations of the two.

Why do cats (some or all) hate riding in cars?

My cat meows louder than normal (almost like a siren) when we take it in the car for a ride. Any thoughts on what part of the situation the cat hates? It is usually an indoor cat but has been an outdoor cat in the past.

because some dont like the sound or feeling of moving when their body is not my cats do not either

AAS alarm inc. Wireless outdoor waterproof siren