CA OES, What to do in the Event of a Radiological Emergency

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What to do in the Event of a Radiological Emergency

What to do if a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency is Reported If you live in the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of a nuclear power plant, you will receive informational materials annually about what to do if there is a radiological emergency at the nuclear power plant near you. This information can be found in the phone book distributed near nuclear power plants. It is also available from your county emergency management website. These materials contain educational information on radiation, instructions for evacuation and sheltering, special arrangements for the handicapped, and contacts for additional information.

Read the material carefully.
Keep the information in a readily available location.
If you have questions, refer to the contact information on the materials.

During an emergency, public information will be provided using Emergency Alert System (EAS) Messages that are broadcast on radio and television stations and supplemented by media releases authorized by local and state government officials.

If you hear an emergency siren, tune into a radio station for an EAS message.
The EAS message will include information about the emergency, as well as detailed information about what actions you should take.
If advised to shelter-in-place, the EAS message will include detailed sheltering information.
If advised to evacuate, the EAS message will include detailed information about the location of reception centers and what to bring with you.
The EAS messages will contain other useful information, such as whether Health Officers have advised people to take potassium iodide (KI). (More information about KI can be found below and on the Obtaining Potassium (KI) and the Useful Links sections of this web site.)

What to do if a Radiological Dispersal Device is Reported in Your Area Follow the directions of local public health, fire, and police officials. Information will be broadcast over the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on the TV and radio. The EAS broadcasts periodic public emergency messages. Depending on the type of incident and local conditions, authorities may direct you to evacuate or to stay indoors. It is important to follow the instructions of local authorities.

Additional information can be found at the federal Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/.

What to do if Instructed by a Health Officer to Take Potassium Iodide (KI)
Take potassium iodide (KI) ONLY if instructed by a local or state Health Officer. If advised to take KI – Make Sure to Take the Correct Dosage, as advised by the Health Officer.

Unless directed by your physician, you should NOT take KI if:

You know you have a thyroid problem
You know you have an allergy to iodine
You know you have an allergy to shellfish

Possible side effects of taking KI include:

skin rash
stomach upset
swelling of your salivary glands
a metallic taste in your mouth

If you have an allergic reaction to KI you might have:
shortness of breath
swelling of face, mouth, and neck

If you have the signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking KI and seek immediate medical attention.

KI is a non-prescription drug that prevents the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine. It does not protect other parts of the body. It does not protect against any other radioactive materials.

KI is used in addition to evacuation and sheltering-in-place. If advised to evacuate or shelter-in-place, do NOT delay your evacuation or sheltering to try and find KI. KI distribution sites will be available and the locations will be announced, if needed.

More information on KI is available at:

The patient information sheet that comes with KI
The Obtaining Potassium Iodide (KI) section of this web site

What to do Before an Emergency is Reported – Pre-Emergency Preparation You can prepare yourself and your family the same way you would for other disasters. Make a disaster preparedness kit so you will be ready. Instructions on what to put in your kit and other steps to take can be found on the OES web site, www.oes.ca.gov.

For more information on what do in case of a radiological emergency, see the Centers for Disease Control website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/