Key factors that you should consider Nuclear How will you conduct extended response operations? Are local personnel and equipment resources adequate for the extended operations required? · The EOP should account for round-the-clock operations. Many jurisdictions plan to send a portion of the EOC staff home after the initial incident assessment reveals the need for extended operations. Determine who will be responsible for each function on multiple shifts. Emphasize the need to distribute the primary functional leaders across shifts. What are the environmental concerns related to this incident? · There are numerous concerns related to plutonium, e.g., it is a heavy metal and is toxic in its own right beyond the long-term effects on animals. The local responders might also identify some issues particular to their area. · HAZMATs used during the response will continue to present hazards until neutralized. Key Issues • Radiological terrorism causes little physical damage to property, therefore recovery will focus on decontamination of the facility and monitoring to ensure the facility is safe for public use. Analysis of the attack for the purpose of improving response capability is essential. After-action reports are good sources of information. • You must become familiar with your State’s roles and responsibilities in a WMD incident. • WMD incidents can easily grow into long-duration events due to the complexities that are faced. The planning process is a critical element in preparing to deal with WMD incidents. • Traditional disaster assistance programs can supplement a long-term recovery program, but do not replace the local government’s responsibility. • Deploying resources will be just one of your problems; another problem will be dealing with the overabundance of people who offer their services. • You may encounter a situation of “no movement” because of too much help. Be aware that these issues exist, and plan accordingly. Key factors that you should consider • Nature of the Hazard Describe the radiological agents of primary concern, including information on chemical and physical properties of these agents that have a direct bearing on emergency planning and response – i.e., the agent’s volatility; behavior in fires, and persistence in the environment; makeup, symptoms and characteristics; and the short-term and long-term effects. • Risk Area Emergency response plans must reflect the fact that a radiological release will affect different areas in different ways and at different times. Areas near the point of release are likely to experience relatively high concentrations of agent very quickly, while areas farther away are likely to experience lower agent concentrations after a period of time. • The plans should provide for the most rapid and effective protective actions possible. For locations farther away, but still possible within the risk zone of contamination by the hazard, plan for public protective actions, including the possibility of having time to evacuate the public in an orderly fashion. Also, plan for the possibility of sheltering populations who can not be evacuated in time. • Consider consequence management plans for those not in the immediate area of the contaminant. 22