Emergency preparedness and planning for nuclear power plant accidents

The current level of emergency preparedness and planning for off-site releases of radioactivity from nuclear power plants in the United States and public reactions to it are reviewed. The major assumptions in these plans involving the responses of the public are highlighted and provide the context for a critique of such plans. Five major deficiencies in the planning efforts are discussed in detail. As currently developed, emergency response plans are far short of insuring maximum protection of the public health and safety of residents living around these facilities. More importantly, the plans simply may not work if implemented.