FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Maryland

PHILADELPHIA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will evaluate a Biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.  The exercise will take place during the week of October 21, 2013 to test the ability of the State of Maryland to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

“These drills are held every other year to test government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III.  “We will evaluate state and local emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile emergency-planning zone of the nuclear facility.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send their evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions.  The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise in a public meeting at 11:00 a.m. on October 25, 2013 at the Sheraton of Annapolis, 173 Jennifer Rd., Annapolis MD.  Scheduled speakers include representatives from FEMA, NRC, and the State of Maryland.

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response.  Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

MaryAnn Tierney

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region III

615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at fema.gov/radiological-emergency-preparedness-program.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.  Region III covers Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Media Contact: 215-931-5597 or FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov