Conceptual framework of off-site emergency response plan

An off-site emergency situation is one which has the potential to result in exposure to radiation of the members of the public living outside the domain of the facility handling radioactive materials. If a major off-site emergency occurs, the countermeasures to be taken may include, sheltering, administration of prophylactics, evacuation, relocation, traffic diversion, making public announcements and rehabilitation. These countermeasures can be implemented only with the active co-operation of public officials. In fact, the personnel of the radiation/nuclear facility can have no control over the public domain. Hence off-site emergency response plans should be drawn up by the public functionaries such as the local or the state authorities. The licensee should consider all probable accident scenarios with off-site consequences and then determine the nature and the extent of countermeasures which would need to be implemented