Table of Contents. Introduction

Transcription

1 Introduction This calendar contains information concerning emergency planning and potential actions to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency at the Nine Mile Point and/or James A. FitzPatrick nuclear stations. While fuel in a nuclear power plant cannot produce a nuclear explosion, it is possible for nuclear power plants to malfunction. An issue with the pumps, valves or pipes inside the plant may cause it to stop operating until that equipment is repaired. If these problems escalate, it is a possibility that radioactive material may be released from the power plants. Oswego County and the state of New York, in cooperation with Nine Mile Point and James A. FitzPatrick officials, have jointly developed detailed emergency plans as required by federal rules to keep you and your family safe. Personnel responsible for implementing emergency plans receive annual training, and both the implementation and adequacy of the emergency plan are tested regularly. The power plants operated by Constellation Energy Nuclear Group and Entergy have never had a release of radiation that required the public to take any protective action. It is, however, important that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Please keep this calendar in a location that is easily accessible to every member of your household. If you would like additional copies or have any questions about this information, please contact: Oswego County Emergency Management Office 200 North Second Street Fulton, NY If you would like additional information on how the plants operate, please write to the following: Entergy James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant P.O. Box 110 Lycoming, NY Constellation Energy Nuclear Group Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station P.O. Box 63 Lycoming, NY Table of Contents 1 Introduction 26 Emergency Classifications 26 How Will You be Notified of an Emergency? 26 What Should You Do When Told to Shelter-in-Place? 27 Planning for Children in School or Day Care Centers 27 Planning for People in Special Facilities 27 Planning for People with Disabilities 27 Instructions for Farmers and Gardeners 27 What Should You Do if Told to Evacuate? 28 What Should You Do if You are Instructed to Take Potassium Iodide (KI)? 28 Planning for Your Pets 29 Designated Evacuation Routes 30 Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes 35 Emergency Reception Center 35 Emergency Planning Resources 35 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations 36 Introduction to Radiation by Roger Linnemann, M.D. 1

2 Snowy Blanket, Lacona by Vern Svereika Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

3 January 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 New Year s Day DECEMBER FEBRUARY First Quarter Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Martin Luther King Jr Day Full Moon WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse Third Quarter WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 3

4 Winter Frosty at Brennan Scriba Morning Beach by by Julie Wes Valentine Proctor

5 February 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 JANUARY MARCH a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. First Quarter 8 a.m. 4 p.m Valentine s Day Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Full Moon Presidents Day WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse Third Quarter WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 5

6 Frosty Scriba Butterfly Morning by Wes Sue Bertsch Proctor

7 March 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 FEBRUARY APRIL Daylight Savings Time Begins First Quarter Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse St. Patrick s Day Vernal Equinox WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse Full Moon WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: Third Quarter WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 7

8 Swamp Swans in Volney by Sylvia Fields Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

9 April 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday MARCH MAY First Quarter Tax Day Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Full Moon 20 Easter Earth Day WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse Third Quarter WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 9

10 Frosty Queen Scriba Anne s Morning Lace by by Annette Wes Proctor Syrell

11 May 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday APRIL JUNE p.m. 8 p.m. 4 p.m. 8 p.m. 4 p.m. 8 p.m. 4 p.m. 8 p.m. 4 p.m. 8 p.m First Quarter 11 Mother s Day Armed Forces Day Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse Full Moon WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse Third Quarter Memorial Day WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 11

12 In the Woods: Orwell, NY by Celia Potter Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

13 June 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday MAY First Quarter Flag Day JULY Full Moon 15 Father s Day Summer Solstice Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 13

14 Frosty Oswego Scriba Bell Morning Tower by by Wes Bob Proctor Kester

15 July 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday Independence Day 5 JUNE First Quarter Full Moon AUGUST Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 15

16 Lake Ontario Shoreline by Julie Valentine Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

17 August 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 2 JULY SEPTEMBER a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m First Quarter Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Full Moon WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse Third Quarter WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: 31 WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 17

18 Fall Bridge by Roger Beck Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

19 September 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 Labor Day First Quarter 7 Grandparents Day AUGUST OCTOBER Full Moon Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter Autumnal Equinox WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 19

20 Frosty Scriba Pumpkins Morning by by Chad Wes Whelsky Proctor

21 October 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday SEPTEMBER First Quarter Full Moon Columbus Day NOVEMBER Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse Halloween WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego New First Quarter Moon WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 21

22 Fall Frosty Bench Scriba at Kingsford Morning by by Wes Paige Proctor Gray

23 November 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 OCTOBER DECEMBER Daylight Savings Time 3 4 Election Day Ends 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. Full Moon 8 a.m. 4 p.m.* * Full-scale test with EAS test 10 a.m Veterans Day Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse Thanksgiving WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: 30 First Quarter WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 23

24 Totem Pole in New Haven by David Hertzler Frosty Scriba Morning by Wes Proctor

25 December 2014 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday Full Moon NOVEMBER JANUARY Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: Third Quarter 21 Winter Solstice Christmas WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: First Quarter WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) 25

26 What You Need to Know in the Unlikely Event of a Nuclear Plant Emergency Emergency Classifications The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established four emergency classifications. The classifications are described below, in order from least to most severe. 1. Unusual Event This is the least serious of the four classifications. Because of the strict federal regulations, any event out of the ordinary is reported to federal, state and local authorities. The event poses no risk to members of the public. It means a minor problem exists. Appropriate officials and personnel are notified. 2. Alert An Alert is declared when an event has occurred that could reduce the level of safety at the plant, but backup plant systems are available. Emergency agencies are notified and asked to stay in touch, but no action by the public is necessary. 3. Site-Area Emergency A Site-Area Emergency is declared when there is an issue with plant safety systems, and a release of some radioactivity into the air or water is possible. Any such releases would be below that which would require the public to take protective action. The sirens may be sounded. You should listen to radio and television stations for information and instructions. 4. General Emergency A General Emergency is declared when an event at the plant has caused a loss of several safety systems that could lead to a release of radiation. State and local authorities would take action to protect the residents living near the plant. People in affected areas would be advised by authorities to stay indoors or to evacuate. How Will You be Notified of an Emergency? The area within the radius of approximately 10 miles around the Nine Mile Point and James A. FitzPatrick nuclear stations is called the emergency planning zone. Plans have been developed for warning and protecting people within this 10-mile area. Emergency sirens and tone-alert weather radios have been installed throughout the emergency planning zone to alert you to an emergency situation. Thirty-seven sirens, located in heavily populated areas, emit steady, loud, high-pitched signals for three to five minutes. If you hear a siren you should tune into an Emergency Alert System station (television or radio). In less populated areas where the sirens may not be heard clearly, residents are provided with special tone-alert weather radios that are tuned to a National Weather Service frequency. These weather radios will sound an alarm to warn residents of an emergency. The alarm will be followed by a message indicating why the alarm sounded. If you live in an area where you cannot hear the sirens clearly, call the Oswego County Emergency Management Office at or The office will determine if you are eligible to receive a tone-alert weather radio free of charge. For visitors and those not familiar with the area, information on what to do in an emergency has been posted in parks and other public places. Information is also available in local phone books. Boaters and people fishing on the Oswego River and Lake Ontario will be notified either by the U.S. Coast Guard or by the Oswego County Sheriff s Department. The emergency sirens are tested, one at a time, four times a year, and a full-scale, simultaneous activation of all 37 sirens takes place once a year. The tone-alert radios are tested by the National Weather Service each Wednesday, generally between 11 a.m. and noon unless there is severe weather in the area. What Should You Do When Told to Shelter-in-Place? You may be asked to shelter-in-place, which means staying inside a structure such as your home or place of business and limiting the ways in which outside air can enter the structure. If you are asked to shelter-in-place, you should do the following: Stay tuned to Emergency Alert System (EAS) stations. Stay off the roads. Unless told to evacuate, you will be safer staying indoors. Avoid using the telephone to prevent overloading the phone lines. Keep your family and pets inside the house. Close all doors and windows. Turn off air conditioners and other ventilation systems that bring air into the house. Extinguish fireplaces, allow smoke to escape through chimney, and then close flues. If You are Away from Home If you are outside the affected area at work or on an errand do not return home until you have heard that the area is open for return. The news media will notify you when the emergency has ended, and provide steps you should take. 26

27 Planning for Children in School or Day Care All state-licensed schools and day cares within the emergency planning zone are required to have emergency plans. Ask your child s school or day care provider for emergency plan details. In the event of an emergency during school hours, one or more of the following actions will be taken: If county emergency officials decide children would be safer going home immediately, your school s regular early dismissal plan would be used; this includes notifying the public. If county emergency officials decide it would be safer to remain indoors, students and school personnel will be sheltered in their school buildings until they can safely return home. If the emergency requires evacuation, buses will take students and school personnel to the Reception Center at the New York State Fairgrounds. Students will be registered and closely supervised by school personnel. Please do not drive to school to pick up your children. Stay tuned to EAS stations. Specific instructions in response to the emergency will be made available to local media. Schools in the Emergency Planning Zone Include: Mexico Academy and Central Schools Oswego City Schools Oswego County BOCES Trinity Catholic School Oswego Community Christian School Day care centers and nursery schools in Mexico, Oswego, Minetto and Scriba. Planning for People in Special Facilities Hospitals, nursing homes and group homes are all considered special facilities. If advised by county officials that staying indoors is safer, the staff will see that people remain sheltered until advised to do otherwise. If advised to evacuate, individuals in these facilities will be sent to the Reception Center or healthcare facilities outside the emergency planning area. Planning for People with Disabilities If you have a physical disability, please fill out the registration card at the end of this calendar and mail it. If you know someone who is not able to fill out the card, please offer to help. This card enables officials to make arrangements for people who need to be picked up and transported to the Reception Center in the event of an evacuation, or to notify them to stay indoors if that is the recommended action. Sending in this card now is important so that any special needs can be met. Even if a card was mailed last year, please mail a card this year to keep our records up to date. If you need additional cards, call or Instructions for Farmers and Gardeners In an emergency, the agricultural community and home gardeners would get instructions from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on protection of crops, livestock and produce. These instructions may include the following: Place livestock on stored feed, protected water supply and under shelter, if possible; take care of lactating animals first. Cover outdoor feed and water containers. Wash produce from gardens and remove outer leaves before consuming. If advised to monitor the Emergency Alert System (EAS) during a radiological emergency, you should continue listening to EAS stations wherever you are. At this point you should also review the emergency information in this calendar and begin preparing the items you would need to bring with you if asked to evacuate. What Should You Do if Told to Evacuate? Do not evacuate unless directed to do so by public safety officials. If an evacuation is necessary, public safety officials will tell you over the Emergency Alert System radio/tv stations. If you are asked to evacuate, here s what you should do: Remain calm; you will have ample time to leave. Stay tuned to the Emergency Alert System stations for official reports. Avoid using the telephone to prevent overloading phone lines. Be sure to lock your home s windows and doors before leaving. Close the windows and air vents of your car. Do not operate the air conditioner or heater until you have left the emergency area. Leave by the route designated on the map in this calendar. If you need transportation, try to arrange a ride with a neighbor or walk to the nearest emergency bus pickup point as shown on your ERPA map in this calendar. What Should You Bring with You? Credit cards, checkbook, cash, important documents Blankets or sleeping bags for everyone in the family Prescription medication/first-aid kit Changes of clothing and personal care items Infant and child care items A portable radio, flashlight and extra batteries This calendar 27

28 What Should You Do if You are Instructed to Take Potassium Iodide (KI)? Potassium iodide (KI) is a salt compound consisting of potassium and iodine. Iodine is used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones that help control metabolism. When directed by county officials, swallow one KI (potassium iodide) tablet. KI, taken within several hours of exposure to radioactive iodine, can block the concentration of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland, thereby reducing one type of radiation exposure. If you do not have KI at your home, KI is available at the Reception Center. Remember, taking KI is not an alternative to evacuating the area. Planning for Your Pets If you are directed to evacuate, you will want to take your pets with you. Plan now for what you will do and how you will protect them. Please keep in mind that only pets in carriers will be allowed on public transportation. Pets may be brought to the Reception Center, but only service animals will be allowed at a congregate care center. In an emergency, you will be assigned to a nearby congregate care center operated by the American Red Cross if you cannot stay at the home of a friend or relative outside the 10-mile emergency planning zone. Develop an emergency plan for your pets as you would for your family. Make a list of places outside of the emergency planning zone that would accept your pets in an emergency, such as boarding kennels or homes of friends and relatives. Put together an emergency supplies kit for your pets. 28

29 Designated Evacuation Routes This map shows the designated evacuation routes for the entire emergency planning zone. The zone is divided into emergency response planning areas (ERPAs). Designated evacuation routes are indicated on the map by arrows. These routes have been chosen to minimize traffic congestion and provide the quickest way out of the emergency planning zone. Locate the designated route nearest your home and follow that route out of the emergency planning zone regardless of your final destination. Be sure your route does not take you back into the emergency planning zone. 29

30 Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes The maps on this page provide a reference for important emergency planning information. They contain the emergency response planning areas and bus pickup points along the evacuation routes. During an emergency, EAS messages will announce the time buses will begin traveling to pickup points. Bus pickup point Novelis Main Entrance Novelis Shipping Entrance Novelis Wellness Ctr. Novelis Main Entrance Novelis Shipping Entrance Novelis Wellness Ctr. 30

31 Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes ERPA 8 The maps on this page provide a reference for important emergency planning information. They contain the emergency response planning areas and bus pickup points along the evacuation routes. During an emergency, EAS messages will announce the time buses will begin traveling to pickup points. Novelis Main Entrance Novelis Shipping Entrance Novelis Wellness Ctr. Novelis Main Entrance Novelis Shipping Entrance Novelis Wellness Ctr Kibby Rd W Stone Rd Hurlbut Rd Green Rd Johnson Rd Sundown Rd Bus pickup point 35 Hanson Rd 31

32 Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes The maps on this page provide a reference for important emergency planning information. They contain the emergency response planning areas and bus pickup points along the evacuation routes. During an emergency, EAS messages will announce the time buses will begin traveling to pickup points. Bus pickup point 32

33 Green Rd E Stone Rd Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes ERPA 17 The maps on this page provide a reference for important emergency planning information. They contain the emergency response planning areas and bus pickup points along the evacuation routes. During an emergency, EAS messages will announce the time buses will begin traveling to pickup points. 104 Sabill Dr 64 Main St Ames St Lincoln Ave 58 Bus pickup point Hurlbut Rd Cornell Rd Pumphouse Rd 69 3 Fish Rd Hanson Rd Gillette Rd 33

34 Emergency Response Planning Areas (ERPAs) and Evacuation Routes The maps on this page provide a reference for important emergency planning information. They contain the emergency response planning areas and bus pickup points along the evacuation routes. During an emergency, EAS messages will announce the time buses will begin traveling to pickup points. Bus pickup point 34

35 Emergency Reception Center The Reception Center for your area is the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The Reception Center will be operated by county and state health and social services personnel. If you are advised to leave the area, please follow the directions given on the emergency alert system (EAS) stations. You and your family will be advised to go directly to the Reception Center for registration and/or radiation monitoring. The location of the Reception Center is shown above. At the Reception Center, you will be assigned to a nearby congregate care center operated by the American Red Cross if you cannot stay at the home of a friend or relative outside the 10-mile emergency planning zone. Families may use the Reception Center as a meeting point and message center. Pets may be brought to the Reception Center, but only service animals will be allowed at a congregate care center. Congregate care centers will be professionally staffed and offer food, medical care and communications facilities. No firearms, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will be allowed at either the Reception Center or congregate care centers. Emergency Reception Center Location From Route 81 South: Exit at Hiawatha Blvd. Take 690 West and follow signs to NY State Fairgrounds From Route 481 South: Exit at 9S for Route 81 South Exit at Hiawatha Blvd. Take 690 West and follow signs to NY State Fairgrounds From Route 48 South and 690 East: Exit at 690 East and follow signs to NY State Fairgrounds Emergency Planning Resources Oswego County Emergency Management Office 200 North Second Street Fulton, NY American Red Cross New York State Department of Health Constellation Energy Nuclear Group Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station P.O. Box 63 Lycoming, NY Entergy James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant P.O. Box 110 Lycoming, NY U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Energy Institute U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC New York State Office of Emergency Management Building No. 22, Suite Washington Avenue Albany, NY Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Alert System (EAS) Stations Local EAS Stations: WSYR AM 570 khz Syracuse WSYR FM MHz Syracuse WHEN AM 620 khz Syracuse WYYY FM 94.5 MHz Syracuse WBBS FM MHz Syracuse WWHT FM MHz Syracuse WSTM TV Channel 3 Syracuse EAS messages are also expected to be broadcast on the following stations: WNYO FM 88.9 MHz SUNY Oswego WRVO FM 89.9 MHz Oswego WTVH TV Channel 5 Syracuse WSYR TV Channel 9 East Syracuse WNYS TV Channel 43 Syracuse WSYT TV Channel 68 Syracuse YNN TV Channel 10 Syracuse (Time Warner Cable customers only) For more information, call the Oswego County Emergency Management Office at or Do not use this number during a radiological emergency. During a radiological emergency, your EAS station will provide a telephone number for you to call. 35

36 Introduction to Radiation by Roger Linnemann, M.D. Radiation has been a natural part of the environment since the beginning of time. We have constantly been exposed to radiation in the form of cosmic rays from the sun. In addition, radioactive elements like radium and uranium are scattered in small quantities throughout the world, creating an environment on earth that has always been radioactive. Our soil, the wood and brick that we use to build our homes, the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe contain materials that are naturally radioactive. Radiation is easily detected and measured by instruments that can find even a few radioactive atoms among billions of nonradioactive ones. This means that we can know quite precisely the amounts of radiation that we are exposed to from nature and other sources such as medical and dental X-rays. A standard measurement of radiation effects is called the rem. Since most exposures result in only small fractions of a rem, they are often described in terms of millirem or one-thousandth of a rem. Your Exposure Levels How many millirem are you now receiving? It depends on several factors your diet, the building materials of your home and workplace, the amount of medical X-rays you receive, and even the elevation of your home, because at higher altitudes you receive more cosmic rays. According to a report by the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP), the average annual exposure to individuals in the United States population from natural and man-made sources of radiation is about 360 millirem a year, or about one millirem per day. If you live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant, the additional average annual exposure is less than 0.01 millirem. This is 100 times less than a person receives each year by watching the television. Even the people Typical Sources of Annual Radiation Exposure to Most Americans Radon gas: 200 millirem Denver, Colorado: 64 millirem Medical and dental x-rays: 54 millrem Natural radioactivity in water, food and air: 40 millrem Cosmic rays of the sun: 28 millrem Consumer products (smoke detectors, TVs, etc.): 10 millrem Nuclear power plant routine operation: <1 millirem (Source: 1996 NUREG/BR-0239; BIER V, 1990) who live nearest to the plant receive at most only one to two millirem a year. This is even less than the radiation exposure from cosmic rays during one coast-to-coast airplane flight. Radiation and Nuclear Plants If a nuclear plant under normal operation represents such a minor radiation exposure, what about radiation released as a result of a reactor accident? With more than 100 nuclear-powered commercial electric plants operating around the country, there has never been an accident that has exposed a member of the public to even the level of a year s natural radiation. At Three Mile Island in 1979, the containment building was able to prevent a major release of radiation as it is designed and built to do even during a complicated accident. Radiation and health experts from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies calculated that the maximum amount of radiation that anyone theoretically could have received, even standing unsheltered in the highest radiation area outside the plant property for 10 days, was 70 millirem. They reported that the average exposure for the population within five miles of the plant was only about one millirem. Radiation Guidelines Scientists have been studying radiation for nearly a century, and all evidence of harmful health effects is based on exposures that are hundreds of times higher than the level that we receive from nature. Because of the care taken by the scientific and medical communities, the average adult s exposure to medical and dental X-rays has been kept to the level of natural background radiation, and exposure from other manmade sources, such as consumer products and nuclear power plants, has been kept to small fractions of the radiation levels in nature. Information in this article is from a report by Roger Linnemann, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and president of Radiation Management Corporation. 36