FEMA Exercise to Test State, Local “Readiness” in Maryland

FEMA
October 15, 2009

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The exercise, which will be held during the week of October 19, will test Maryland’s ability to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

[efoods]“These drills are held every other year to test government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said Patricia Arcuri, Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. “We will evaluate state and local emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile emergency-planning zone of the nuclear facility.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send their evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public about 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise in a public meeting at 12:00 p.m. on October 27 at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Joint Information Center, 100 Skipjack Road, Prince Frederick, Md. Scheduled speakers include representatives from FEMA, NRC, and the state of Maryland.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Region III covers Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

This article was posted: Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 4:50 pm

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