Engineering simulator applications to emergency response training

The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory has recently conducted three comprehensive severe accident drill scenarios at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center in Washington, D.C. Developed on a RELAP5 based engineering simulator, each scenario resulted in severe core damage with significant offsite release. During each scenario actual emergency procedures were implemented in a representative fashion and realistic complications consistent with the initiating events were introduced. The drill controllers fulfilled all licensee, federal, state and local counterpart functions and also simulated political, media and public affairs liasion. These technically demanding drills are clearly beyond the capability of present day replica simulators and have been instrumental in enhancing the technical support capability and overall emergency response preparedness of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 6 refs., 2 tabs