Emergency plan: Preparation for emergencies is improved

New legal regulations

Whether an incident in a foreign nuclear power plant, a crime against a nuclear facility, or a nuclear weapon explosion – in a radiological emergency, the procedures must be clearly regulated. This is the purpose of the General Emergency Plan (ANoPl) of the Federal Government of Germany, which has now passed the Federal Council of Germany. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) welcomes the General Emergency Plan as an increase in safety in the event of a crisis.

Inge Paulini, president of the BfS emphasises that "The General Emergency Plan of the Federal Government of Germany summarises existing regulations for the protection of the population and the environment against the negative consequences of a radiological accident. This greatly facilitates emergency planning. The BfS has a central role in both responding to and preparing for such emergencies. The BfS was intensively involved in preparing the emergency plan."

The BfS in the Radiological Situation Centre responsible for situation report and measurements

Emergency preparedness and response

If an accident occurs in a nuclear power plant or even during the transport of radioactive materials, the General Emergency Plan clearly specifies which government agencies will take on which tasks to protect the population and the environment.

Experts from various federal authorities work together in a Radiological Situation Centre, which can be activated in such cases. They assess the hazardous situation and make decisions or draw up recommendations based on this. The Federal Environment Ministry (BMUV) is in charge of the Federal Situation Centre.

Das BfS ist für die Messungen der Radioaktivität sowie für das Erstellen von sogenannten Lagebildern zuständig, die einen Überblick über den Unfall sowie Empfehlungen für Schutzmaßnahmen enthalten. Dafür verfügt das Bundesamt über ein umfangreiches Messnetz in ganz Deutschland.

The BfS is responsible for measuring the radioactivity and creating situation report, which contain an overview of the accident as well as recommendations for protective measures. For this purpose, the BfS has an extensive measuring network throughout Germany.

Seven foreign NPPs in close proximity

BfS President Dr Inge Paulini

Paulini added: "The BfS is well prepared: Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, employees of the BfS have been on permanent standby and regularly assess the radiological situation. Particular attention is being paid to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant because safe operation there cannot be guaranteed on a permanent basis because of the fighting and power cuts. The shut-down of German nuclear power plants does not mean that every risk from such plants has been averted."

Seven foreign nuclear power plants are located less than 100 km from the German border. In addition, accidents during the transport of radioactive materials domestically or in other nuclear facilities as well as threat scenarios such as a "dirty bomb" and cyber attacks cannot be ruled out.

EU requirements implemented

The plan contains regulations for the procedures between the federal government and the Federal States and for informing the public for a wide range of accidents involving the handling of radioactive substances. This also implements the requirements of the European Union. The General Emergency Plan of the Federal Government of Germany is to be supplemented by several special emergency plans in which specific issues are dealt with in greater depth. It had been approved by the Federal Cabinet on 16 August.