ASN Report 2020

The performance of a national nuclear and radiological emergency exercise, at maximum intervals of five years on the nuclear sites covered by a PPI, and at least one annual exercise concerning the transport of radioactive substances, would seem to be a fair compromise between the training of individuals and the time needed to effect changes to organisations. In 2020, in addition to the general objectives of the exercises listed earlier, additional objectives were introduced into the schedule, taking account of lessons learned and the results of the exercises and experimental training carried out in 2019. ASN is also heavily involved in the preparation and performance of other emergency exercises that have a nuclear safety component and are organised by other players such as: ∙ its counterparts for nuclear security (Defence and Security High Official reporting to the Minister in charge of energy – HFDS) or for Defence-related facilities (ASND); ∙ international bodies (IAEA, European Commission, Nuclear Energy Agency); ∙ the Ministries for Health, the Interior, etc. In August 2020, ASN thus took part in an IAEA RANET exercise. This exercise was held over several days and considered a nuclear reactor accident in France. It was performed entirely remotely and notably enabled ASN to test the tools for notification and the exchange of information internationally in the event of a nuclear accident in France. A French request for assistance was also sent to the IAEA, with simulation of the transmission of information about the measures taken in the field by the various international players who responded to the assistance request. The experience acquired during these exercises should enable the ASN personnel to respond more effectively in real emergency situations. 3.2 Assessing with a view to improvement Assessment meetings are organised immediately after each exercise in each emergency centre and at ASN a few weeks after the exercise. ASN, along with the other players, endeavours to identify best practices and the areas for improvement brought to light during these exercises. These assessment meetings enable the players to share their experience through a participative approach. They more specifically revealed: ∙ the importance of having scenarios that were as realistic as possible, in real meteorological conditions and that were technically complex enough to be able to provide useful experience feedback; ∙ the importance of communication in an emergency situation, in particular to inform the public and foreign authorities as rapidly as possible and avoid the spread of rumours liable to hamper good emergency management, in France and in other countries; ∙ the importance of providing the decision-makers with a clear view of the radiological impacts in the form of maps: the tool called Criter developed by the IRSN gives a representation of the results of environmental radioactivity measurements. ASN Emergency Centre during the emergency exercise of 2 February 2021 on the Orano La Hague site 182 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 04 – RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY AND POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS