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Who does what in an emergency?

The reactor disasters in Chornobyl and Fukushima highlighted the importance of smooth cooperation and a clear division of responsibilities between all institutions involved in emergency preparedness. In a radiological emergency, depending on the type of accident, there will be close collaboration between federal and state authorities, plant operators and/or emergency services in Germany and abroad. Their common goal is to deal with the emergency and to protect the population as effectively as possible from radiological consequences.

Pieces of a puzzle

Tasks of the Federal Government, the States and operators

The operators of nuclear power plants are responsible for a safe operation of the plants. If an emergency occurs, German federal authorities and states work closely together with operators – as in the case of any possible radiological emergency – to protect the public in the best possible way from any radiological consequences.

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Two protecting hands

Protection of the population from radioactivity in the event of a nuclear accident

In the event of an accident at a nuclear power station, protective measures are intended to limit the radiation exposure (dose) of the population to such an extent that only a very low additional cancer risk arises. The competent Federal Länder (federal states) authorities for disaster control need reliable information quickly in order to be able to decide which measures are the most appropriate: What are the anticipated exposure levels of the population? How much exposure has already occurred?

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Contamination Probe

Development of emergency preparedness in Germany

As a result of Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl), the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) was established in 1986. Three years later came the founding of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), which is responsible for determining the situation in an emergency in a reliable and unified manner.

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Assembled puzzle pieces in front of a globe representation

International cooperation in radiological emergency response

In radiological emergency response, countries work together worldwide – because radiation does not stop at national borders. Germany cooperates bilaterally with neighbouring countries and multilaterally with countries throughout Europe and the world. International platforms enable rapid reporting procedures and the permanent exchange of radiological measurement data.

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In a radiological emergency, the BfS analyses the radiological situation.

Federal Radiological Situation Centre

In a radiological emergency of wide area impact, experts from different federal authorities and organisations work together under the leadership of the Federal Environment Ministry in a special crisis team: the Federal Radiological Situation Centre. Among other things, they provide federal and state authorities with a consistent situation report of the radiological situation and coordinate radiological measurements.

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NGA Übung RASPAD

Response to Nuclear Security Events

In Germany, the federal states ("Bundesländer") are responsible for the response to nuclear security events. If the civil authorities responding to an event involving nuclear or radioactive material out of regulatory control require support, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) can provide help in the form of personnel, measurement equipment and expert advice in the fields of physics, chemistry and medicine. The defence against nuclear hazards (NGA) involves preparing for and responding to situations in which radioactive material is out of regulatory control, in particular cases where the material is being used maliciously.

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ODL measuring devices of various designs lie on a table or are mounted on tripods

Measuring radioactivity

Even though ionising radiation cannot be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted, there are various methods and devices for measuring it. Depending on the type of radiation and thus on the measurement task, different measuring devices are required. Compared with professional measuring devices such as those used by the BfS, simple measuring devices for private use generally produce less accurate results. Various factors can influence the quality of measurement results and must be taken into account when evaluating the measurement results.

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