Emergency Preparedness and Response
What this domain tests
Emergency Preparedness and Response tests the first actions after a stuck source, disconnected drive cable, lost source, fire or unexpected dose rate. The exam rewards containment, dose control and notification over heroic retrieval.
Core rules
- The emergency plan must cover credible events, define roles, list contacts and be exercised. A plan that exists only in a folder is not adequate.
- For a stuck or disconnected source, stop work, secure the area, evacuate non-essential people, and use a survey meter from a distance. Do not attempt retrieval unless trained, authorized and equipped.
- Notify the RPO and regulator according to the plan and legal time limits. Record times, dose estimates and actions.
- Dose assessment uses measured dose rates, occupancy time and distance; keep people out of unknown fields until surveyed.
- After the event, preserve the scene for investigation and restock emergency equipment.
Worked example
During a crawl, the drive cable disconnects and the source remains in the guide tube. Reasoning: the source is unshielded and the dose rate near the tube may be high. First actions are to stop the drive, warn others, establish a boundary using the survey meter, and call the RPO. Retrieval waits for a trained team with long-handled tools and a calculated dose budget. Moving the guide tube by hand is prohibited because it changes the geometry and may increase dose.
Traps
Retrieving a source before surveying; failing to notify within the legal timeframe; using a phone call as the only record; ignoring the dose to the first responder; leaving the area unguarded during the response.