(Chapter 4) Emergency Rescue Action

4.1 General Procedures for Emergency Rescue Operations

4.1.1 The accident scene, the person in charge of the enterprise or community, or the safety authority shall take the following actions: (1) Assessing the situation (2) Reporting and notifying relevant parties (3) Organizing and executing rescue operations.

4.1.2 Personnel in the vicinity of the accident site include traffic police, community or street staff, and resident committee members who are responsible for maintaining order and assisting in emergency efforts.

4.1.3 The Emergency Command Center (Ministry) plays a central role in coordinating responses. It includes the actions of the on-duty personnel, the command group, and other related organizations to ensure a unified and efficient response.

4.2 Regardless of who is involved in the accident assessment process, if any dangerous anomalies are detected, the first responder must initiate an emergency protocol. Accidents can be classified in various ways, and different individuals may assign different severity levels to the same incident. To avoid confusion during emergencies, it's essential to refer to official guidelines developed by government agencies. Most industrial enterprises use a three-level classification system: Level 1 - Early Warning (lowest level), Level 2 - On-Site Emergency (intermediate level), and Level 3 - Full Emergency (most severe). In the nuclear industry, the standards are more detailed, including: (1) Emergency Standby (2) Workshop Emergency (3) Site Area Emergency (4) Overall Emergency.

4.3 Communication and coordination among emergency organizations are crucial for effective response. Clear and timely communication ensures that all parties are aligned and working toward the same goal.

4.3.1 Alarm systems must be activated immediately upon detecting an emergency.

4.3.2 Employees should be informed promptly about the incident to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.

4.3.3 External agencies such as fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement must also be notified quickly.

4.3.4 Internal communication channels within the company should be established and maintained to ensure everyone is updated in real-time.

4.3.5 Communication with external organizations must be clear, reliable, and consistent to support coordinated action.

4.3.6 The public should be informed about the emergency situation in a transparent and timely manner to prevent panic and misinformation.

4.3.7 Media outlets should be notified to provide accurate and up-to-date information to the public.

4.4 Determination and Implementation of On-Site Emergency Response Measures

4.4.1 Initial Assessment: First responders should quickly evaluate the situation, including the scope of the incident, potential risks, casualties, property damage, and whether outside help is needed. Identifying hazardous substances is critical in cases involving leaks.

4.4.2 Detection of Hazardous Substances: This step involves identifying the type of substance, the extent of leakage, and the status of containment systems. Understanding these factors helps determine the appropriate response strategy.

4.4.3 Establishing On-Site Work Areas: Three zones are typically set up: (1) Dangerous Zone (2) Buffer Zone (3) Safe Zone. These areas help manage the response and protect both responders and the public.

4.4.4 Key Protection Areas: Considerations include personnel safety, critical systems at the site, environmental impact, and property protection both inside and outside the site. Emergency workers’ work areas are also prioritized.

4.4.5 Protective Actions: Rescuers must wear proper protective gear, work in pairs, and use self-contained breathing apparatuses. Checkpoints and collection areas are established to manage evacuees and ensure their safety.

4.4.6 Evacuation Strategies: When dealing with hazardous material leaks, evacuation or safe shelter-in-place measures are used to minimize exposure time in dangerous areas.

4.4.7 Priority Principles: The main priorities are protecting employees and emergency workers, preventing further accidents, and safeguarding the environment.

4.4.8 Support for Emergency Actions: Medical care, temporary shelters, coordination with external agencies, and social services are all important components of an effective response. After the crisis, restoring normal operations and re-entering the site safely is also critical.

4.5 Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Operations

4.5.1 Notification and activation of the emergency organization are the first steps in a nuclear plant incident.

4.5.2 Emergency communication systems must remain functional to ensure continuous information flow.

4.5.3 Assessing the consequences of the accident is vital for determining the appropriate response and mitigating harm.

4.5.4 Protective actions include immediate containment, isolation, and shielding measures to protect personnel and the public.

4.5.5 Remedial actions focus on controlling the situation, reducing radiation exposure, and minimizing long-term effects.

4.5.6 Emergency lighting control ensures visibility and operational continuity during power failures.

4.5.7 Pollution control and medical care are essential to manage radioactive contamination and treat affected individuals.

4.5.8 The emergency is terminated only when the situation is fully under control and all risks have been eliminated.

4.5.9 Emergency facilities in nuclear power plants include an emergency control center, backup control centers, technical support centers, communication hubs, monitoring stations, and consequence assessment units.

4.6 Emergency Equipment and Resources

4.6.1 Basic equipment includes communication tools, vehicles, lighting devices, and protective gear to support initial response efforts.

4.6.2 Special equipment covers fire suppression systems, hazardous substance containment tools, personal protective equipment, communication systems, medical support tools, emergency power sources, and heavy machinery to handle complex situations.

4.6.3 On-site maps and charts are essential for emergency responders. They provide critical information about the location, layout, and changes in the environment. Regular updates ensure that the data remains accurate and useful for decision-making during the response.