United Arab Emirates

Session 3: How to prepare for communicating in an

emergency?

International Symposium on Communicating

Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies to the

Public

Vienna , 1-5 Oct 2018

Why Communication fails during nuclear emergencies?

1

Three Mile Island

accident

Fukushima daiichi nuclear

disaster

Chernobyl Nuclear disaster

UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Policy

Policy of United Arab Emirates on

the Evaluation and Potential Development

of Peaceful Nuclear Energy

Complete

operational

transparency

3

Highest

standards of

non-

proliferation

Highest

standards of

safety and

security

Close

cooperation

with IAEA,

Conform to

standards

Long-term

sustainability

Partnership

with

governments

and firms of

responsible

nations

Federal Law by Decree No. (6) of 2009 concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy

2

▪ Independent regulator with respect to nuclear safety, security, radiation protection and safeguards in the UAE.

▪ To provide safe, clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy to the UAE

▪ Established in 2016. ▪ Responsible of Nuclear operation and

maintenance

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Journey

2

6

IAEA GSR part 7

▪ General Requirements

Requirement 2: Roles and responsibilities in emergency preparedness andResponse

▪ Functional Requirements

Requirement 10: Providing instructions, warnings and relevant information to the public for emergency preparedness and response

Requirement 13: Communicating with the public throughout a nuclear orradiological emergency

11

7

Legal Framework

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Article (6 )

The Off-site Emergency Plan shall establish the arrangements to

provide useful, timely, truthful, appropriate and consistent information

throughout an Emergency.

The Off-site Emergency Plan shall include arrangements for:

▪ Coordinating the release of information during an Emergency, including

identifying the Competent Authority to be the source of official

information;

▪ Providing the public with prompt information on risks and any protective

actions required or that may be required, including information to the

public outside the Emergency Zones;

▪ Responding to any misleading, inaccurate or confusing information

appearing in the media; and

▪ Education of the public in the vicinity of the Nuclear Facility about

Protective Actions.

11

8

How did the UAE prepare for communications during a nuclear emergency?

Conducting

emergency

exercises and

drills11

Developing the National

media and

communication plan Building

public

perception

and

awareness

Learning

from others

Identifying

messages,

channels and

audience

9

Onsite & Offsite Response Organizations

11

Media and Public

Communications during

Nuclear Emergency

On-site ORO

Public

Information

National

Operation

Center

Media Cell

Off-site ERO

Public

Information

Public Media

10

EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTER AT RUWAIS

11

11

Emergency Operation & Information Centers

11

NAWAH Emergency Operation

Center Emergency Operation Facility

Public Information Center FANR Emergency Operation

Center

12

Developing The National media and communication plan

Objectives:

▪ Consistent communication

messages.

▪ Publishing news and information.

▪ Media monitoring.

▪ Educating the public.

▪ Identifying the roles and

responsibilities of involved

stakeholders.

11

13

National Operation Center (NOC) Media Cell

11

National Security

Media Cell

14

Building public perception

11

94% of residents believe that peaceful nuclear energy is

extremely important, very important or important for the nation.

88% of residents believe that safety and security are the

overall priorities of the UAE nuclear energy program.

96% of residents believe that ENEC is building the plants

to the highest standards of safety and quality

86% of Emiratis believe that the UAE program will serve

as a model for other nations.

77% of people believe that the benefits of nuclear energy

outweigh the risks.

15

Building public perception

▪ Public Forums.

▪ School outreach Program.

▪ Government outreach.

▪ Digital communication.

▪ Public Relations.

▪ Community and corporate

events.

▪ Communication materials.

▪ Internal communication.

11

16

Identifying Messages, Channels and Audience

11

Online

Road signs

Route alerting

Social media

Loud speakers

SMS

Media

Public Messages

17

Conducting Drills and Exercises*

11

2 National Exercises and Rehearsal

11 Drills have been conducted by

NAWAH

4 Table top exercises organized by

FANR for other Agencies

5 ConvEx exercises with the IAEA

*2017 & 2018 figures

18

Learning from others

▪ Emergency Preparedness Review

(EPREV) - 2015

▪ The Integrated Nuclear

Infrastructure Review (INIR)-Phase

3 - 2018

▪ National Workshop on Stakeholder

Involvement for the transition from

Phase 3 to Operational Phase -

2018

11

19

Challenges

11

Language

Coordination Rumors

Awareness

Conclusion

1

To be prepared for communication during nuclear

emergencies, your communication should be:

Accurate

Fast

Transparent

Coordinated

Reliable

Consistent

Thank You.