FREDERICTON (GNB) - NB Power and the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO) will conduct a full-scale nuclear emergency exercise Oct. 3-4. The exercise will also be supported by regional, provincial and federal institutions.
Synergy Challenge is a multi-tier and multi-jurisdiction event for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station that will test emergency preparedness, response and recovery capabilities, as well as decision-making by NB Power, NBEMO and emergency response partners. About 1,000 people representing more than 35 agencies and organizations are expected to participate.
As part of a regulatory requirement from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, a full-scale exercise takes place every three years to test the province’s readiness in response to a large-scale emergency. This will be the first time a Canadian nuclear power plant has entered the recovery phase of an exercise focused on the final stage of emergency management.
Synergy Challenge will provide an opportunity to test emergency response plans and collaborative effectiveness among emergency response partners. This exercise will incorporate knowledge gained from the province’s last full-scale nuclear emergency exercise in 2015, which was called Exercise Intrepid. It will also consider operating experience from other nuclear power plant exercises and lessons learned from recent recovery efforts in New Brunswick.
During the exercise, residents may see emergency response vehicles and hear radio communications simulating an emergency at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.
The exercise will take place over two days at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station and other locations, including the NBEMO provincial emergency operations centre in Fredericton and regional emergency operations centres in Saint John and St. Stephen. Motorists can expect increased vehicle traffic on Route 790 north of Point Lepreau and on Route 175 in the Pennfield Ridge area.
For a look at how the 2015 Exercise intrepid was conducted, see the video below.
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