Federal, state and local governments have plans and trained teams of people prepared to respond to radiation emergencies. The role of each federal agency is defined in the National Response Framework’s Nuclear/Radiological incident Annex (Nuc/Rad Annex).
State and Local Responders
State and local governments and emergency responders are responsible for making decisions regarding public safety for the people in their communities, including evacuation decisions, and food and water safety decisions.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the DHS has primary responsibility for ensuring that emergency responders are well prepared. The DHS coordinates the federal response in the case of an emergency that requires the response of many different federal agencies.
Radiological Dispersion Device
This webpage provides information on radiological dispersal devices or “dirty bombs.”
Nuclear Power Plants
Learn about ways to prepare in the case of a nuclear power plant emergency.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA plans for and responds to radiological emergencies. The Agency works with other federal agencies and state and local responders to monitor and clean up radioactive material from radiological emergencies. The EPA also develops Protective Action Guides (PAGs) to help state and local responders make public safety decisions during radiation emergencies.
Protective Action Guides (PAGs)
On this webpage you can learn about the EPA’s PAGs, which help state and local authorities make public safety decisions during emergencies.
Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Responses
This site provides links to the EPA’s radiological emergency response information.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE leads the response when there is a nuclear or radiological release at a DOE facility or involving DOE materials. This could be while using, storing or shipping a variety of radioactive materials, or during the production, assembly, and shipment of nuclear weapons and special nuclear materials. The DOE also coordinates the collection and organization of radiation data related to radiation emergencies in the case of any nuclear emergency.
Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC)
This webpage provides an overview of the DOE’s data coordination role during radiological emergencies.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
The NRC is responsible for ensuring that each nuclear power plant in the United States has plans for responding to radiation emergencies. The NRC leads the federal response in the event of a radiation release from nuclear power plants and other types of NRC-regulated facilities. Many states have formal agreements with the NRC. These agreements give states the authority to license the use of radioactive material. States that have this agreement with the NRC are called Agreement States.
Directory of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State Liaison Officers
On this webpage, you can find out whether your state is an Agreement State.
What Do I Do in a Nuclear Emergency?
This webpage gives directions about nuclear power plant emergency instructions.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
In the case of a large-scale radiological emergency, the CDC would help state and local authorities set up and maintain Radiation Testing Centers, which are designed to keep track of radiation exposure in an affected population.
Types of Radiation Emergencies
This site provides information about different types of radiation emergencies and about how to protect yourself and your family.
CDC Radiation Thermometer Tool
Compare different doses of radiation using a helpful scale. This can help people assess their own risk in a radiation emergency.
