Courses and syllabus: the situation in Switzerland

In the event of a radiological incident, such as a nuclear explosion in peacetime or serious accident at a nuclear power plant either in this country or abroad, measures to protect the population affected would have to be taken quickly. They can only be effective, however, if all levels of management have undergone thorough preparation. Essential to such preparation is comprehensive and regular staff training at canton (regional) and district (local) level. Local authorities in particular would be directly responsible for implementing safety procedures in an emergency. Enquiries into a number of disasters have clearly shown that any crisis must, as far as possible, be tackled at local level. National authorities are usually too remote and not so directly affected. Local authorities, being themselves immediately affected, become of crucial importance. Their instructions and recommendations are much more credible. Logically, then, local and regional authorities, which are called upon to implement measures laid down by national government, must be trained to respond to radiological incidents. While responsibility for planning emergency protection lies primarily with the specialist departments of national authorities, the canton is responsible for implementing policy at regional and district level (i.e. organization and acquisition of equipment). Regional authorities are therefore expected to be able to understand and implement the necessary procedures. Training programmes with particular emphasis on the specific problems presented by radiological incidents are drawn up by national authorities and implemented jointly with canton administrations