Monthly Archives: March 2023

In the event of an emergency at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, the Director, or those in charge of the facility, will activate their Emergency Action Plan. This Plan designates what actions should be taken by facility staff in order to ensure the safety of the children and staff. Below you will see information on what these actions are and how to locate your child.

If the Facility Director or those in charge order EARLY RELEASE of the children, the facility will close early and parents should follow usual pick up procedures.

Those children that are normally taken home by bus will be taken home as usual by bus.

In the event of a PRECAUTIONARY RELOCATION, children will be moved to a specific location where parents can pick them up. Find your child’s Facility Name in the chart below.
Beside the Facility Name you will see the Relocation Facility where your child will be taken. You may pick up your child at the Relocation Facility.PRECAUTIONARY CHART FOR SCHOOLS

Officials may determine that SHELTER-IN-PLACE is safer for the children and staff. If so, all children and staff will remain inside the facility. Parents may pick their children up at the facility the child attends. (Shelter-In-Place is preferred if relocating children will result in transporting them through an area that may be contaminated with radiation.)

LIMESTONE HEALTH FACILITY

Officials at the Limestone Health Facility will make the decision as to what actions to take to ensure the safety of the patients. Should officials choose PRECAUTIONARY RELOCATION, the patients would be taken either to the Athens Senior Center or to the Athens-Limestone Hospital, depending on the patients’ condition.

Officials may determine that SHELTER-IN-PLACE is safer for the patients and staff. If so, all patients and staff will remain inside the facility. (Shelter-In-Place is preferred if relocating the patients will result in transporting them through an area that may be contaminated with radiation.)

IF YOU ARE TOLD TO SHELTER-IN-PLACE:

1. If you don’t know what Zone and Sector you are in, refer to the Zone and Sector Map to determine if you are in a Sector that needs to Shelter-In-Place.
2. Stay indoors until further notice.
3. Close all doors and windows.
4. Turn off heaters and air conditioners that use outside air. Only use these if temperatures are so extreme that life or health is in danger.
5. Do not use your fireplace. If you do have a fire, put it out. Close your damper or any other air intakes.
6. Shelter your livestock if you can do so quickly. Leave them plenty of water and feed.
7. Keep household pets indoors.
8. Minimize your use of the telephone to keep lines open for emergency use.
9. Listen to a local radio station for additional information or instructions.
10. Do not leave your home until you receive official notice that it is safe to go out.
11. If your children are at school, do not leave to pick them up. Children who are in school during an emergency will be cared for until it is safe for you to pick them up.
12. If you must go outside, protect your breathing by placing a folded damp cloth or towel over your nose and mouth.

AREAS OUTSIDE OF TEN-MILE EMERGENCY PLANNING ZONE

Residents living outside of the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone and east of AL Hwy.
99 should proceed east toward Madison County and follow the blue and white Browns Ferry Reception Center signs to a Reception Center in Madison County.

Residents living outside of the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone and west of AL Hwy. 99 should proceed west toward Lauderdale County to Brooks High School on U.S. Hwy. 72.

Potassium Iodide, also known as KI, is a non-prescription drug that may prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine. In the event of an emergency at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, evacuated residents may be given KI by public health officials at one of the Reception Centers. KI would only be given following the determination of a release of radioactive material from the Nuclear Plant. If you are given KI, it is very important to follow the instructions given to you when taking your KI.

IF YOU ARE TOLD TO EVACUATE:

1. If you don’t know what Zone and Sector you are in, refer to the Zone and Sector Map to determine if you are in a Sector that needs to Evacuate.
2. Once you determine your Sector, refer to the Reception Centers and Evacuation Routes Chart to determine where you should go.
3. Gather what you and your family will need. You may be away for a few days. Examples of items to take with you are:
   • Medications and prescription drugs
   • Toiletry items (toothbrush, comb, soap, etc.)
   • Glasses and contact lens
   • Baby supplies
   • Foods required for special diets
   • Extra clothing for several days
   • Bedding for each family member (blanket, pillow, sleeping bag)
   • Portable radio and extra batteries
   • Flashlight and batteries
   • Identification such as a driver’s license
   • Important documents (insurance policies, deed, will, etc.)
   • Cash, checkbook and credit cards
   • Magazines, books, small games for children
4. If you have household pets, leave your pet inside with enough food and water for several days. You may take your pet with you only if you do not plan to stay at a Mass Care Shelter. (Exception to this rule: Service animals for the disabled will be allowed in the Shelter.)
5. Shelter your livestock, especially dairy animals. Leave enough water and feed for several days.
6. Shut down your home.
   • Turn off and unplug all appliances, except for your refrigerator and freezer.
   • Turn off lights and water faucets.
   • Turn off gas to your home.
   • Tie a white cloth on the front of your home so that it is clearly visible (front doorknob, mailbox, etc.). This lets emergency workers know that you have left the area safely.
   • Lock all doors and windows.
7. Check with your neighbors to be sure they are aware of the evacuation order.
8. Listen to a local radio station in your vehicle so that you will be aware of additional information that may be given.
9. Keep car windows and vents closed and the air conditioner and heater off.
10. Follow the Evacuation Route Signs to your Reception Center. It is very important that you go to the Reception Center to register.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has established four classifications to describe a nuclear emergency. The Emergency Classification Levels are listed below:

NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT
Events are in progress or have occurred which indicate a potential degradation of the level of safety of the plant or indicate a security threat to facility protection has been initiated. No releases of radioactive material requiring offsite response or monitoring are expected unless further degradation of safety systems occurs.

ALERT
Events are in progress or have occurred which involve an actual or potential substantial degradation of the level of safety of the plant or a security event that involves probable life threatening risk to site personnel or damage to site equipment because of Hostile Action. Any releases are expected to be limited to small fractions of the Environmental Protection Agency Protective Action Guide.

SITE AREA EMERGENCY
Events are in progress or have occurred which involve actual or likely major failures of plant functions needed for protection of the public or hostile action that results in intentional damage or malicious acts; 1) toward site personnel or equipment that could lead to the likely failure of or; 2) that prevent effective access to, equipment needed for the protection of the public. Any releases are not expected to result in exposure levels which exceed Environmental Protection Agency Protective Action Guide exposure levels beyond the site boundary.

GENERAL EMERGENCY
Events are in progress or have occurred which involve actual or imminent substantial core degradation or melting with potential for loss of containment integrity or hostile action that results in an actual loss of physical control of the facility. Releases can be reasonably expected to exceed Environmental Protection Agency Protective Action Guide exposure levels offsite for more than the immediate site area.

There are several ways you could be notified of a problem at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant:

• To alert people outdoors, EMA will sound sirens around the Nuclear Plant. If you hear a siren, turn on a local radio or television station immediately. These stations will give you information and tell you what to do. The sirens are also used to warn residents of other types of emergencies, such as tornadoes or floods.
• To alert people indoors, radio and television stations will carry emergency information. Follow the instructions and stay tuned.
• In an emergency, fire, police and rescue units may also patrol the affected area.
• Boaters would also be alerted by Rescue Squad personnel.
• Weather Alert Radios will also sound and provide information as to what to do.

Upon hearing a siren or emergency message, we also encourage people living in the 10-mile emergency planning zones to check with their neighbors to ensure they are aware of the situations – especially neighbors who may have special needs.

In case of a problem, you will be provided specific instructions based on your location. Follow the instructions given on the radio or television.

**Sirens are tested on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 9:15am.**

In the event of an emergency, tune to a local Emergency Alert Station. The local radio and television stations that would be used to provide emergency information and instructions for Limestone County residents are:

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

• WZYP at 104.3 FM
• WVNN at 770 AM
• WKAC at 1080 AM

LOCAL TV STATIONS

• WAAY ABC Network
• WAFF NBC Network
• WHNT CBS Network
• WZDX Fox Network
• WTZT ZTV