PDP# 7: Development of an early warning system on nuclear emergency of Lithuania

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 14px"><strong><span style="color: #000000">Outcome and objective of the project</span></strong><span style="color: #000000">:</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="color: #000000">The aim of the project is to ensure better systems for securing the Lithuanian population in the event of catastrophic disaster. Specifically, the project aims to enhance the capabilities of Lithuanian authorities to plan for and warn inhabitants so in order to reduce the risks should such events occur.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="color: #000000">The objective of the project is to create a high-quality technical and organizational conditions for nuclear emergency preparedness. This will be done&nbsp;by creating a unified system for&nbsp;early warning of nuclear and/or radiological emergencies&nbsp;in Lithuania.</span> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="color: #000000">&nbsp;<strong><span style="color: #000000">The project includes:</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="color: #000000">The enhancement of the VATESI emergency preparedness capabilities; </span></span></li> </ul> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Install technical warning system (297 early warning sirens) in the impact zone of Belarusian NPP. In this project installation of warning system based on sirens is considered in 50-100 km zone due to high population density and potential disaster impact in the area. These measures should ensure effective and timely warning and information on imminent or actual emergency, likely effects, response measures and methods of protection of all residents, state and municipal institutions and agencies, other agencies and economic entities in case of emergency;</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Organize complex exercises for forces of civil protection system in order to assess human capabilities and material resources, while implementing protective actions as well as broadly involving residents in the potential accident zone of Belarusian NPP;</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Carry out training of residents living in the potentially dangerous zone of Belarusian NPP while planning specific practical measures and/or providing distance learning possibilities and organizing wide publicity campaigns also involving residents.</span></li> </ul>

Bilateral cooperation results

The specialized software for simulating the data of severe accidents for the VVER-1200 type reactor, acquired by VATESI, will be designed not only to professionally assess the progression and consequences of accidents at the Belarusian nuclear power plant and the characteristics or predictions of radionuclide emissions into the environment, but also to implement procedures specified in the Lithuanian Crisis Management and Civil Protection Act of December 15, 1998 (No. VIII-971), in cooperation with other responsible Lithuanian institutions. Additionally, along with the updated population warning and information siren system, this software will more effectively help prevent disasters or mitigate their consequences and optimize actions taken in the event of a nuclear or radiological accident at the Belarusian NPP. After the contractor installs the computer program on the designated VATESI and DSA computers and creates a general model of the software, VATESI and DSA appointed employees will be trained to use the software and its models to evaluate the characteristics of radionuclides released into the environment during accidents, ensuring the timely assessment of radionuclide emissions or predictions in both countries. The Fire Safety and Rescue Department will use the acquired sirens and the national emergency warning and information system platform to ensure safety not only in the event of nuclear and/or radiological accidents but also in cases of war or natural disasters. This will allow for timely warnings to be issued to Lithuanian citizens about the progression of accidents at the Belarusian nuclear power plant and the characteristics or predictions of radionuclide emissions, obtained from VATESI or other Lithuanian and foreign responsible institutions. It will also enhance the technical and organizational preparedness of the institutions responsible for the safety of Lithuanian citizens in the event of a nuclear and/or radiological accident.

Project partners

• Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) Donor project partner· Norway
• State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) Project partner· Lithuania