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Cybersecurity

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Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial and medical information. These attacks can damage your reputation and safety.

Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting and responding to those cyberattacks that can have wide-ranging effects on individuals, organizations, the community and the nation.

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Cyberattacks can occur in many ways, including:

  • Accessing your personal computers, mobile phones, gaming systems and other internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices.
  • Damaging your financial security, including identity theft.
  • Blocking your access or deleting your personal information and accounts.
  • Complicating your employment or business services.
  • Impacting transportation and the power grid.

Protect Yourself Against Cyberattacks

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You can avoid cyber risks by taking steps in advance:

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An illustration of a computer with a password lock
  • Limit the personal information you share online. Change privacy settings and do not use location features.
  • Keep software applications and operating systems up-to-date.
  • Create strong passwords by using upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Use a password manager and two methods of verification.
  • Watch for suspicious activity that asks you to do something right away, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or needs your personal information. Think before you click. When in doubt, do NOT click.
  • Protect your home and/or business using a secure Internet connection and Wi-Fi network, and change passwords regularly.
  • Don’t share PINs or passwords. Use devices that use biometric scans when possible (e.g. fingerprint scanner or facial recognition).
  • Check your account statements and credit reports regularly.
  • Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, Social Security number or credit card number. Only share personal information on secure sites that begin with https://. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that creates a more secure connection.
  • Use antivirus and anti-malware solutions, and firewalls to block threats.
  • Back up your files regularly in an encrypted file or encrypted file storage device.
  • Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.
  • Remember that the government will not call, text or contact you via social media about owing money.
  • Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantage of financial fears by calling with work-from-home-opportunities, debt consolidation offers and student loan repayment plans.

During a Cyberattack

  • Check your credit card and bank statements for unrecognizable charges.
  • Check your credit reports for any new accounts or loans you didn’t open.
  • Be alert for emails and social media users that ask for private information.
  • If you notice strange activity, limit the damage by changing all of your internet account passwords immediately.
  • Consider turning off the device that has been affected. Take it to a professional to scan for potential viruses and remove any that they find. Remember: A company will not call you and ask for control of your computer to fix it. This is a common scam.
  • Let work, school or other system owners know what happened.
  • Run a security scan on your device to make sure your system is not infected or acting more slowly or inefficiently.
  • If you find a problem, disconnect your device from the Internet and perform a full system restore.

After a Cyberattack

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Let the proper federal, state and local authorities know if you believe you have been a victim of a cyberattack.

  • Contact banks, credit card companies and other financial services companies where you hold accounts. You may need to place holds on accounts that have been attacked. Close any unauthorized credit or charge accounts. Report that someone may be using your identity.
  • File a report with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) if you think someone is using your Social Security number illegally.
  • File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They will review the complaint and refer it to the appropriate agency.
  • File a report with the local police so there is an official record of the incident.
  • Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint if you receive messages from anyone claiming to be a government agent.
  • Contact additional agencies depending on what information was stolen. Examples include contacting:
    • The Social Security Administration (800-269- 0271) if your Social Security number was compromised, or
    • The Department of Motor Vehicles if your driver’s license or car registration has been stolen.
  • Report online crime or fraud to your local United States Secret Service (USSS) Electronic Crimes Task Force or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Additional Resources

People with Disabilities

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Disability intersects every demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders or national origin. And, disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters. 

Build a Kit

In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should have items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use every day and which ones you may need to add to your kit.

Tips for Medications

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how you can create an emergency supply of medicines.
  • Keep a list of your prescription medicines. Include information about your diagnosis, dosage, frequency, medical supply needs and allergies.
  • Store extra nonprescription drugs, like pain and fever relievers, antihistamines and antidiarrheal medicines.
  • Have a cooler and chemical ice packs available to chill medicines that need to be refrigerated.

Tips for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  • Weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert)
  • Extra hearing-aid batteries
  • Pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)
  • Battery operated lantern to enable communication by sign language or lip reading, especially when the electricity is out and it’s dark.

Tips for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision

  • Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
  • Keep communication devices for your particular needs, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.

Tips for People with Speech Disability

  • If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
  • Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.

Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

  • Keep handheld electronic devices charged and loaded with videos and activities.
  • Purchase spare chargers for electronic devices and keep them charged.
  • Include sheets and twine or a small pop-up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy).
  • Consider a pair of noise-canceling headphones to decrease auditory stimuli.
  • Have comfort snacks available.

Tips for People with a Mobility Disability

  • If you use a power wheelchair have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup if possible.
  • Show others how to assemble, disassemble and operate your wheelchair.
  • Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you can’t purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations or local charitable groups can help you buy one. Keep extra batteries charged at all times.
  • Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.
  • Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker if you use one.
  • Keep a portable air pump for wheelchair tires.
  • If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must evacuate, consider keeping an extra cushion on hand.
  • Communicate with neighbors who can assist you if you need to evacuate the building.

Tips for Individuals with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia

  • Do not leave the person alone. Even those who aren’t prone to wandering away may do so in unfamiliar environments or situations.
  • If evacuating, help manage the change in environment by bringing a pillow and blanket or other comforting items they can hold onto.
  • When at a shelter, try to stay away from exits and choose a quiet corner.
  • If there is an episode of agitation, respond to the emotions being expressed. For example, say “You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here with you.”

Additional Items

  • Several days supply of prescription medicines
  • A list of all medications, dosage and any allergies
  • Extra eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids and batteries
  • A backup supply of oxygen
  • A list of the style and serial number of medical devices (include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed)
  • Copies of insurance and Medicare cards
  • Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt
  • Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service or support animal

People Experiencing Extreme Heat

People with disabilities, access and functional needs, and older adults may be at increased risk to extreme heat. For example:

  • People with spinal cord injuries are at higher risk during extreme heat because they may not be able to cool their body through sweating.
  • People with severe mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, are at risk because their medications may interfere with the body’s ability to cool itself.
  • People with cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, are at risk because they may have trouble understanding and explaining how the heat affects them. This could prevent them from taking protective actions. It’s important to know that a person’s ability to perceive and communicate physical discomfort may vary with the stage of dementia or disease.

It is important to plan ahead, take precautions, have support, and be aware of the symptoms of heat exposure. Keep these tips in mind during extreme heat:

  • If you have a support network – caregivers, family and friends – ask them to help monitor and address your heat-related needs; have them check in with you regularly to ensure you are safe and healthy.
  • Read the side effects of medications and talk with your doctor about how heat exposure will interact with them.
  • Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath to cool the body if you are experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
  • Ask your local energy utility for priority access in the event of power loss because power restoration is life-sustaining for someone in the home.
  • Monitor your local weather and emergency information alerts.
  • Have a plan that includes shade, hydration, sun protection, and limiting exposure time if you’re going to be outdoors.
  • Identify cooling shelters, possible locations with air-conditioning or contact cooling centers to ensure needed accommodations ahead of time. This could include someone in your support network with air conditioning.
  • Coordinate accessible transportation to/from cooling locations.
  • People with medical needs who can’t be accommodated at conventional cooling shelters may have to contact local hospitals or nursing homes to create contingency plans if they can’t stay at home.

Special Facilities Emergency Plans

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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

FACILITY NAMERELOCATION FACILITY
 Birdie Thornton Center Athens Recreation Center
 Boys & Girls Club of Athens Athens Recreation Center
 Boys & Girls Club of Tanner Athens Recreation Center
 Friendship Learning Center First Methodist Church
 Tanner Head Start Athens Recreation Center

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.)

Shelter-In-Place

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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.

Reception Centers and Evacuation Routes

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SECTOR NUMBEREVACUATION ROUTERECEPTION CENTER(S)
 A-2 Travel north to U.S. Highway 72
 and crossing Highway 72,
 follow evacuation route signs north.		 Elkmont
 High School
 B-2 Travel north to U.S. Highway 72
 and then east on Highway 72
 following evacuation route signs.
 As an alternate route, those
 traveling east through Sector
 B-10 may continue east to Peets
 Corner and then proceed north.		 Ardmore
 High School
 A-5 Travel north to U.S. Highway 72
 and crossing Highway 72, follow
 evacuation route signs north.
 Residents in the western portion
 of Sector A-5 may travel northeast on
 Baker Hill Road following
 evacuation route signs.		  Elkmont High School
 B-5 Travel north to U.S. Highway 72
 and then east on Highway 72 following
 evacuation route signs. As
 an alternate route, those traveling
 east through Sector B-10 may continue
 east to Peets Corner
 and then proceed north		 Ardmore High School
 A-10 Travel north or northeast,
 following evacuation route signs.		  Elkmont High School
 B-10 Travel northeast on Highway 251
 or travel east following
 evacuation route signs.		 Ardmore High School
 K-10 Proceed to U.S. Highway 72,
 then northeast on Baker Hill
 Road following evacuation route signs.		 Elkmont
 High School

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

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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.

Evacuation

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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.

Emergency Classification Levels

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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.

Emergency Notification

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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.**