Each county or city in Virginia is responsible for protecting the public health and safety of its community. Usually the first responder to any technological hazard whether, fire, chemical, or radiological is that jurisdiction’s fire department. Some localities that have a greater threat, such as chemical plants, or nuclear facilities, have committed additional resources in case there is an accident at these facilities. These additional resources could include a Hazardous Materials Team (HAZMAT) or at least participation on a regional Hazmat Team if they cannot support their own team.
There are two major nuclear facilities that require local jurisdictions to prepare radiological emergency response plans and participate in federally evaluated exercises. The North Anna and Surry Nuclear Power Stations have a 10-mile plume phase emergency planning zone (EPZ) and a 50-mile ingestion phase EPZ. Also there are several Virginia counties that are in the 50-mile ingestion phase EPZ for the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Station in Maryland.
The research reactors that were previously located at Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia and now decommissioned had much smaller EPZs.
The BWX Technologies' Naval Fuel Fabrication Facility located near Lynchburg has a plume phase EPZ of one mile, and ingestion EPZ of 5 miles, since the likelihood of a radiological release beyond the facility’s boundary is very low.
There are several hundred facilities in Virginia that use radioactive materials from major medical facilities performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures to industrial users testing for lead in paint. Each application has its own risk of contaminating or exposing people to unnecessary levels of radiation.
There are also numerous shipments of radioactive materials traveling on the Commonwealth’s highway every day with the potential for a transportation accident that may damage the shipping containers.
Many localities are recipients of federal grants to prepare for potential terrorist threats including radiological threats. The side panels on the left provide suggestions that a locality may consider to augment their response capabilities to radiological hazards. The Department of Homeland Security has developed standards for equipment used for preparedness activities associated with homeland security.
Localities may also request State assistance in cases where the locality's resources are overwhelmed by contacting the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s (VDEM) State Emergency Operations Center (State EOC). If there is a radiological component to the incident, then the State EOC will contact VDH Radiological Health.
Radiological Health Program | James Madison Building, 7th Floor | 109 Governor Street, Room 730 | Richmond, VA 23219 | Telephone (804) 864-8150 | Fax: (804) 864-8155