1. Lessons for Crisis Management from TMI Accident Harold R Denton National Science Foundation Workshop Feb. 27, 2002

2. February 27, 20022 Unique Aspects of TMI Accident n Magnitude of Potential Public Health Effects n Protracted time of crisis development n Media Inexperience w/ Nuclear n Multiple sources of information

3. February 27, 20023 Magnitude of Potential Health Effects n Large-scale public evacuation a real possibility n Considerable departure of general population n Continuing community stress and demoralization n Economic future of area threatened

4. February 27, 20024 Protracted time of crisis development n Constantly changing story n Wide variety of sources sought n Conflicting messages led some to conclude media was problem

5. February 27, 20025 Media Inexperience in nuclear matters n 300/400 reporters on scene n Overall complexity of event n Skepticism n Demand for immediate news n Growing understanding was often mistaken for cover-up n What if Questions and Maybe Answers

6. February 27, 20026 Multiple sources of information n Utility n Federal Agencies n State n Individuals and interest groups n Media can preempt civil authority in emergency planning

7. February 27, 20027 Lessons Learned by the NRC n Reliable, prompt information n Demonstrable emergency plans n Research into severe accidents n Importance of human factors n On-Site Inspectors n Nuclear data links

8. February 27, 20028 Communication Lessons Learned n Assure accurate, complete and timely information available n Prepare systematic PI program n Put credible source on the firing line n Best source of information is at source/site

9. February 27, 20029 Thoughts on Responding to the Unexpected n Advance Analysis of Severe Events n Promotion of Operational Safety Culture n Accountability for Immediate Response n Post Event Planning

10. February 27, 200210 Advance Analysis of Risks n Analysis of “beyond design “ probabilities and consequences n Are additional mitigation measures practical? n Recognition of large uncertainties in data and methodologies n How can costs of improvements be fairly distributed?

11. February 27, 200211 Promote Safety Culture n Don’t become complacent n Plan for severe events n Watch for precursors to severe events n Recognize declining performance n Develop and train for emergencies

12. February 27, 200212 Establish Accountability for Immediate Response n Combine political and technical sources in communications n Convey the known facts n Admit uncertainties exist n Don’t make statements you may have to retract later n Act on best estimate of situation n Refrain from “value judgements”

13. February 27, 200213 Post Event Planning n Recognize that major events will have long lasting, health, social, economic and environmental impacts n Employ NTSB type investigative process to determine facts and probable causes n Expect long arduous effort to establish substantive organizational improvements