| INTRODUCTION
The National Radiation Emergency Coordination Center (NRECC)
at the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) headquarters
in Islamabad is the National Warning Point (NWP) and operational
facility for response to nuclear accidents or radiological
emergencies happening domestically or abroad. NRECC is a 24-hour
warning point established in 1988 and presently works as a
center for management and co-ordination of PNRA emergency
response under the Radiation Safety Directorate (RSD). It
also functions as a secretarial arm to Chairman (PNRA) who
is the National Competent Authority-NCA for an emergency Abroad-NCA(A)
and Domestic-NCA(D).
NRECC is a fully functional focal point to meet national
as well as international responsibilities set under the obligations
of International Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear
Accident-CENNA and Convention on Assistance in the Case of
a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency-CACNARE, to which
Pakistan is a State Party.
PNRA maintains proportional preparedness in support of licensees
and public authorities and observes these drills/exercises
from time to time.
OBJECTIVES
In the event of an actual or potential nuclear or radiological
emergency, to facilitate;
Exchange of information between PNRA licensee, public authorities
and relevant international organizations with the aim to diminish
consequences to property, environment and public.
Prompt provision of assistance or advice, where appropriate,
to mitigate the consequences.
COMMUNICATIONS
The expected means of communication for sending a notification
and/or for requesting information/assistance are by;
Fax
Telephone or by mobile phone.
PNRA security services provide the necessary back-up to
NRECC communication set-up.
FUNCTIONS
To receive a notification and information concerning the
nature of the emergency and any potential national as well
as transnational consequences.
To authenticate and verify notifications or information of
a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.
To inform forthwith, after being notified of an event, NRECC
chain of Command of a notification received.
To provide promptly any licensee, public authority or relevant
international organization with the information received (consistent
with confidentiality limitations).
To facilitate and/or co-ordinate the provision of assistance
at the national/international level, if so requested.
To assist NCA(A) or NCA(D) on recommendations to Government
of Pakistan for protective actions like sheltering, evacuation
or supply of prophylactics etc.
To use its best endeavors to promote, facilitate and support
the co-operation and co-ordination between PNRA licensee,
public authorities and relevant international organizations.
To ensure that there are frequent, accurate and reliable
releases of information to the media, as appropriate, in co-ordination
with other relevant national authorities.
RESPONSIBILITY
Sole responsibility for control of a nuclear accident or
radiological emergency situation lies with the licensee. Licensee
maintains preparedness by preparing emergency plans and procedures
which need to be tested through drills/exercises conducted
in association with relevant public authorities.
PNRA maintains proportional preparedness in support of licensees
and public authorities and observes these drills/exercises
from time to time.
EMERGENCY CATEGORIZATION
Response to a nuclear accident or radiological emergency
requires rapid and coordinated response, in association with
public authorities, as in case of a conventional emergency.
Emergency categorization is composed of emergency conditions
that trigger certain level/mode of response. The categorization
system adopted for the purpose of NRECC addresses;
Emergency specific to nuclear installations like Site area
emergency or General emergency;
Emergency not specific to nuclear installations like Missing
dangerous radiation source or Transport accident.
EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
NRECC is supported by a Mobile Radiological Monitoring Laboratory
(MRML) and other radiological monitoring equipment and supplies
available at NRECC. The MRML is stationed in PNRA Headquarters
in Islamabad and can be activated within a notice of few hours
in support of its Regional Directorates, licensees and public
authorities.
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