Background
WINS and Bruce Power (Canada) held a second international event addressing nuclear emergency planning, exercises, security incident management, and achieving excellence in implementation. The event took place in Vienna, Austria, 12-15 February 2018.
**Funding priority for this event was given to female applicants.**
Overview
Planning for and managing the response to a major security incident at a nuclear facility can be extremely challenging if the wrong approach is used. Questions to answer include:
- How are command, control and communication among different departments and organisations best designed and implemented?
- Why is interoperability important? What happens if it fails?
- Who has the controlling mind for nuclear safety and security?
- What are some common challenges in managing this critical interface?
- What specialised safety training do armed response forces need to receive so they are able to discharge their responsibilities without compromising nuclear safety?
Objectives
The purpose of this interactive, professionally moderated event was to give participants the opportunity to identify and address the potentially complex issues (including command, control and communications) that can arise when responding to a security incident. Participants took part in a fast-moving security scenario where they tested their knowledge and decision making and interacted with highly experienced emergency management experts from Bruce Power and other nuclear organisations. In the process, they translated concepts and principles into relevant, effective planning tools and deployment in an operational context.
The content for the event was based on the WINS Academy Elective on Nuclear Security Incident Management. Those who were enrolled in the Nuclear Security Incident Management module had the opportunity to take the certification examination for it as soon as the course ended.
Audience
The event was limited to 40 international participants representing managers and specialists from the nuclear and emergency response communities, as well as regulators, government departments and others who wanted to gain a specialised understanding of the issues and best practices. It was a major assistance to organisations that are planning to develop nuclear facilities and their associated emergency management systems.
Process
Applications were invited before 1 December 2017; successful applicants were notified accordingly. There was no course fee, but participants were expected to meet their own travel and subsistence costs. The event and all instructional materials was in English, so participants were required to have a good standard of spoken and written English.
Funding support for travel, accommodation and WINS Academy participation was available for up to 10 female WINS Members as part of our Gender Champions Programme. All funded participants are required to enroll in and successfully complete WINS Certification on Nuclear Security Incident Management at the end of the event. Further details are available on request.
Applicants were asked to submit a detailed CV.
Event Flyer
Download the Announcement on the International Training Course on Incident Planning and Emergency Response
