International Conference on Challenges Faced by Technical and Scientific Support Organizations (TSOs) in Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security - IAEA CN-214

IRSN role, organization, methodology and means as the French TSO for Emergency Preparedness and Response

28 Oct 2014, 14:40

20m

Invited Emergency Preparedness and Response Session 3: Oral Session

Speaker

Mr Olivier Isnard (IRSN)

Description

After the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japan in 2011, France decided to enhance its operational capability to respond to any nuclear and radiological emergency, at the governmental level, and to take into account acquired experience during the 2011 response. In this context, the French Government has developed a National Response Plan to a Major Nuclear or Radiological Accident. This plan, addresses the actions to be taken in the areas of protection of the population, but also the aspects of strategic communication or post-accidental management. The French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN, fits easily into this governmental scheme, as the national expert in radiological and nuclear risk to public authorities. IRSN is independent of the French operators and as developed specific operational technical capabilities, supported by its area of expertise. IRSN developed its own response organization to meet governmental needs especially in the expertise area. IRSN provides to the French government on an operational basis an expertise capability in the safety and in the accident progression field, in the assessment of radiological consequences field through the evaluation of doses to the public, the monitoring of the environment and also the public. The current paper presents the main features of the capabilities of IRSN in the framework of expertise needed during any response to a nuclear or radiological emergency. The organization, methodologies and tools developed by IRSN to fulfill its duty is also presented.