Lessons Learned from Fukushima—Applied to Emergency Preparedness in Taiwan

Abstract

After Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan, Atomic Energy Council (AEC) has conducted reexamination on three operating nuclear power plants in Taiwan immediately, focusing on nuclear safety, radiation protection and emergency preparedness. Lessons learned in five areas have been concluded from Fukushima accident: 1. Complex disasters, 2. Victim’s viewpoint, 3. New technology, 4. Disaster prevention, and 5. Transparency and communication. In order to prevent from similar disaster occurs in Taiwan, AEC has improved capabilities and abilities of nuclear emergency preparedness and response through three aspects: 1. Mechanisms and regulations, 2. Cross-border and international cooperation, 3. Preparedness improvement. For mechanisms and regulations, AEC has revised nuclear emergency response related acts, regulations and plans, expanded emergency planning zone (EPZ) based on two units accident. Enhance the national response mechanism for nuclear accident caused by severe natural disaster. For cross-border and international cooperation, AEC has revised the guidelines for accident notification, introduced more agencies into emergency response mechanism, and issued a new rule of the Response Guidelines for Cross-border Nuclear/Radiological Incidents. AEC also enhanced the abilities and capabilities on radiation dose evaluation and analysis, atmosphere dispersion model, aerial and maritime radiation detection and monitoring. For preparedness improvement, AEC has required the licensees to fulfill the NRC’s NTTF recommendations about Staffing and Communications. The licensees have developed the ultimate response guideline to inject seawater when necessary, and have improved (or are going to build) earthquake resistant/seismic isolated building for emergency response. More alert stations have been established to make sure all residents within EPZ will be notified within 45 min while nuclear accident occurs. More radiation monitoring stations also established within EPZ. For iodine tablet arrangement, AEC has introduced three-layer concept, predistributed 2-day’s dose supply to residents within EPZ, another 2-day’s dose supply was kept by local government within EPZ, and two “National Stockpiles” outside EPZ has been established for extra need. For emergency response information system, AEC had created nuclear emergency management platform system for nuclear response groups. If situation is getting worse to General Emergency or a complex disaster, AEC would activate emergency management information system to communicate with agencies at the Central Disaster Response Center. For evacuation, a staged-keyhole type evacuation was developed to support public protective action. Students and nursing people have first priority to evacuate; a pre-evacuation mechanism is in place for schools, nursing houses and hospitals. AEC also keeps on public communication with residents through all occasions, gathering and fairs. In order to verify above improved measurements, AEC conducts nuclear emergency exercise through tabletop exercise, onsite exercise, and full participation exercise annually. We should be humble in face of nature disaster, and keep on improving capabilities of emergency preparedness and response to reduce risk and mitigate consequence, and earn trust of residents through transparency and communications.