Exercise Synergy Challenge will take place October 29 and 30, 2024. The exercise will involve a simulated radiation emergency at the plant, and all that is involved in handling such an event by various agencies responding throughout the region.
A condition of NB Power's Power Reactor Operating Licence granted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission requires a full-scale emergency exercise every three years. NB Power, in partnership with provincial, regional, and federal authorities will host a full-scale nuclear emergency response exercise at PLNGS titled Synergy Challenge 2024 (ExSC2024) This exercise will provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate response capabilities with a wide variety of responders working together to manage on-site and off-site consequence.
The exercise is expected to involved over a thousand persons in over 40 federal, provincial, municipal and state organizations in New Brunswick and beyond. The International Repeater Group is one of the participating organizations.
Amateur radio plays a role in many emergency operation centres (EOC) and the Point Lepreau plan includes back-up communications. Some simulated amateur radio activities in support of the exercise will take place. In addition, there will be simulated social media and news events that participants can follow during the exercies.
We are looking for operators who wish to help out at some EOC’s as required, between 9 to 5 each day or part of the day. We can fit you in around your schedule:
- Point Lepreau Offsite Emergency Operation Centre (PLNGS OEOC - St. George)
- Provincial Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC - Fredericton)
- Region 7 Regional EOC (REOC 7 - Moncton)
- Region 9 Regional EOC (REOC 9 -Saint John)
- Region 10 Regional EOC (REOC 10 - St. George)
- Department of Health EOC (DOH EOC - Fredericton)
There will no doubt be radio nets taking place during the exercise in which anyone can participate from home, but if you want to take a more active role, such as attending and operating at an EOC, please contact and let us know your availability for October 29 or October 30, and we will pass the information along. In some cases, there may be some training and orientation prior to the exercise we can let you know about.
Mark October 29 & 30 on your calendar today!