Nov 20 - Government and MOD Carry Out Theoretical Nuclear Emergency Response Plan
Preparation for the event of a Radiation hazard was this morning carried out in the test of the Nuclear Emergency Response Plan that would be jointly implemented between the MoD and the Gibraltar Government. The training exercise involved a gamut of emergency services and high profile MoD personnel, as well as Minister Linares and Dr Cortes, who is the chairman of the Radiation Response Committee. GHA CEO Freddie Pitto and Director of Public Health Dr Kumar were also in attendance.
The exercise, carried out in the lower depths of No 6 Convent Place, followed the scenario that a radiation leak from a nuclear submarine in the bay was about to occur. UK Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator Captain Mike Robinson assessed the exercise. Speaking to YGTV, Captain Robinson explained that the exercise was carried out every three years. The training exercise saw the nuclear emergency response plan executed theoretically, allowing for any updates or changes to be included if they are found necessary. Dr Cortes explained that the exercise would involve various departments of the Government, including the Environmental Agency who would, with the help of the regiment, distribute potassium tablets to the public.
In the event of a nuclear emergency on board a submarine, Captain Robinson insisted that firstly certain operating procedures would be carried out on board the submarine, however if these were to fail and a radiation hazard were to occur, the MOD and Government would exercise the response plan, in order to mitigate the implications to the public. The Committee's priorities, from there, would be public reassurance, preparation for escalations, distribution of potassium tablets, medical response and the use of the air terminal as a shelter.
Dr Cortes explained that for the first time, the Government was using their GIS system during the exercise, which allowed the Radiation Response Committee to digitally plot a number of aspects of the response plan on a large digital map of Gibraltar. For example, it detailed the wind direction, and highlighted the areas that potassium tablets had been distributed, in real time. Dr. Cortes went on to explain that the public’s perception and reaction in this situation is one of the few aspects that are unknown during the theoretical exercise. He added that the important thing in that situation is to reassure people that there are no expectations of any explosions etc, and that the team is managing the situation.
Dr Cortes added that the team was also theoretically monitoring social media, in particular, Twitter, in order to see how people would respond and react to the matter. They would also use Social Media to put across vital messages to the public. He added that the practice exercise was also useful for any other kind of emergency situation, be it medical or chemical or otherwise.
