Generally speaking, these exercises enable the highest-level decision-making circles to be tested, along with the ability of the leading players to communicate, sometimes with simulated media pressure on them. Table 2 describes the key characteristics of the national exercises conducted in 2023. In addition to the national exercises, the Prefects are asked to conduct local exercises for the sites in their département, in order to improve preparedness for radiological emergency situations and more specifically to test the time needed to mobilise all the parties concerned. 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 2023, 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 2022. 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 – HFDS – reporting to the Minister in charge of Energy) or for Defence-related facilities (ASND); ∙ the international bodies (IAEA, European Commission, Nuclear Energy Agency – NEA); ∙ the Ministries for Health, the Interior, etc. 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 are as realistic as possible, in real meteorological conditions and that are 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 IRSN gives a representation of the results of environmental radioactivity measurements. Following the publication of the first recommendations to the Government in 2012, the Codirpa continued its work to learn the lessons from the accident on the Fukushima Daiichi NPP (Japan) and from national emergency exercises, involving all the stakeholders (experts, State’s services, CLIs, associations, licensees, etc.). The new Recommendations for the management of the post-accident situations following a nuclear accident were collated in a guide published in November 2022. The purpose of these proposals is to contribute to the next updates of national emergency planning. CODIRPA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGING POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS Recommandations pour la gestion post-accidentelle d’un accident nucléaire Comité directeur pour la gestion post-accidentelle d’un accident nucléaire (Codirpa) Version 2022 During the emergency exercise held on the Nogent-sur-Seine NPP (Aube département – 10) on 23 and 24 November 2023, several schools carried out their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) activation exercises. This exercise was also an opportunity to organise two meetings with 4th and 6th year high-school students. The purpose was to discuss their vision of the nuclear accident, the correct reflexes in the event of an alert and what are the best means of communication to actually raise awareness among this young audience. Following a presentation of the nuclear hazard and the protective measures to be taken, the students made suggestions for targeted awareness actions that could be used during national emergency exercises carried out by the public authorities. Unsurprisingly, the emphasis was on social media, with the inclusion of links to awareness-raising sites, the creation of original content, involvement of influencers. Other proposals, such as the creation of video games, escape games, or the use of virtual reality also emerged. These meetings also used the ASN-IRSN exhibition as a teaching tool. The results of these meetings will be included in the Codirpa work on the safety and radiation protection culture, and incorporated into the final report to the Government, scheduled for 2024. PARTICIPATION BY SCHOOLS AND RAISING AWARENESS AMONG THE YOUNG DURING THE EMERGENCY EXERCISE ON THE NOGENT-SUR-SEINE NPP 178 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 • 04 • Radiological emergency and post-accident situations
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