epr-method (2003) - IAEA Publications - International Atomic Energy ...

FOREWORD
The aim of this publication is to provide a practical resource for emergency planning, and to
fulfil in part functions assigned to the IAEA in the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a
Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (‘Assistance Convention’). If used effectively,
it will help users to develop a capability to adequately respond to a nuclear or radiological
(radiation) emergency.
Under Article 5.a(ii) of the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or
Radiological Emergency (‘Assistance Convention’), one function of the IAEA is to collect
and disseminate to States Parties and Member States information concerning methodologies,
techniques and available results of research relating to such emergencies.
The IAEA first published this material as Method for Development of Emergency Response
Preparedness for Nuclear or Radiological Accidents in 1997, IAEA-TECDOC-953, which has
been used extensively by the IAEA for training and for evaluation of emergency response
programmes. In November 1999 a Technical Committee meeting with representatives of over
20 States reviewed and provided feedback on the TECDOC.
This TECDOC, published as part of the IAEA Emergency Preparedness and Response Series,
replaces and builds on IAEA-TECDOC-953, incorporating revisions to address the lessons
learned from using IAEA-TECDOC-953, previous emergencies and research, while ensuring
consistency with the safety requirements “Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or
Radiological Emergency” GSR-2 published in 2002.
It is intended to keep the publication current and relevant by revising it on a regular basis.
Some of the expanded features in this publication include:
(1) information on response to the full range of foreseeable emergencies including those
involving detection of medical symptoms of radiation exposure, lost or stolen dangerous
sources, operations of a dangerous mobile source, public contamination, transport, or
serious overexposure;
(2) expanded information for facilities in threat category II (e.g. research reactors) and
threat category III (e.g. irradiation facilities);
(3) information on the categorization of and response to terrorist acts and threats;
(4) information on emergency organizations and facilities;
(5) extensive outlines of national, local, facility or operator plans and procedures;
(6) information on determining if a quantity of radioactive material should be considered a
dangerous source; and
(7) information on management of the medical response and in mitigating the nonradiological
consequences.
The IAEA officer responsible for this publication was T. Mc Kenna of the Division of
Radiation and Waste Safety.