Reply #95: Nuclear response are complicated

[divvy]

Nuclear responses are too complicated to not be thoroughly planned for. You need to have personnel that have trained and drilled for it. As a member of our plants emergency response teams (4 teams had 24/7 coverage), there were administrative and technical procedures... and we trained for it including an emergency drill at least once a year. The drill included communication with all nearby county, state, and federal entities... oversite by the NRC, etc etc. You have to have people that are nuclear trained and familiar with the plant. It would be nearly impossible for an outsider to just come in and take charge of a plant in an emergency. Even, if for one second, we were to assume that the government was going to take charge... plant personnel and expertise would still be required. You have to have many disciplines in the team - plant engineers with mechanical, electrical, and nuclear expertise, operators, chemist, rad techs, maintenance people, plant security, plant IT, etc etc. You can't just say it is a mess, your problem, and walk away. Whatever the emergency response plan was, it should have been clear about command and control. Sad... I have always wondered about nuclear plants in third world countries or even just small countries... they can't really be prepared for emergencies. I am surprised that the Japanese weren't better prepared than these stories would imply. I do agree with the Prime Minister comments that these workers are fighting for the nation's survival. There is news this morning that 2 holes have been drilled into the reactor (secondary containment building) to allow release of hydrogen. Hydrogen is only a problem if you have melting zinc cladding somewhere.