Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET) has developed a virtual communications training solution specifically for Nuclear Power Plants and offsite response organizations. Training and exercise requirements have become a challenge since the response to COVID has many people working remotely or unable to train in-person.
To meet regulatory requirements as outlined in 10 CFR 50.47(b)(7); 44 CFR 350.5(a)(7), emergency preparedness and response training and exercise activities are conducted to ensure public education and information meet planning standards and evaluation criteria. Due to the inability of many nuclear power plants and offsite response organizations to hold in-person training and exercises, this requirement calls for an alternative approach. According to NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 2, “Alternative approaches provide an opportunity for state, local, and tribal governments, applicants, and licensees to meet the planning standards in a manner that is different from what the evaluation criteria recommend…”
COVID-19 has presented challenges in meeting training and exercise requirements since many in-person activities are not an option, however, a successful pivot from in-person to virtual engagements will allow nuclear power plants and offsite response organizations to continue to meet customer’s mission requirements.
