Nuclear Crisis Communication in a NonNuclear Country

Anne Marit streng Head of Information, Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority IAEA, IEM, 20.June 2012

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Norway has
No nuclear power plants. Two research reactors: - Kjeller (2 MW) - Halden (20 MW)
(The OECD Halden Reactor Project).

A combined disposal and storage facility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste.

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However

Radioactive fall-out as a consequence of atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s and 60s.

Radioactive fall-out as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident in 1986.

Proximity to military and civilian nuclear facilities.

Chernobyl accident

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Hence
Media attention is high concerning anything nuclear For the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), preparing and planning to manage a nuclear event means to prepare for an event that is likely to happen abroad, but that may have national consequences (Chernobyl experience) We depend on the information we can get from all relevant authorities and the IAEA

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Crisis Communication in brief

Low threshold for informing the media and the public even though important information may be lacking High availability towards media

We use the media and our website in order to communicate to the public

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The four messages during Fukushima Dai-ichi

We follow the situation closely serious and unresolved Our measuring instruments in Norway will be able to detect radioactive emissions in Japan No impact on health or the environment in Norway, no countermeasures will be required Focus on safety for Norwegian citizens in Japan

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Evaluating the effort

The media (20 editorial offices): - overall impression is positive, but we should have considered using social media The population: - Most people got the information they needed, and the Norwegian media was the main source of information about the accident Two common questions put to the population of Sweden, Denmark and Norway showed similar results:
Were you satisfied with the information that you received about the nuclear accident in Japan? (1=not at all, 10=Yes, completely) Mean score: Sweden 7,4, Norway 7,5, Denmark 7,4 What confidence do you have in the authorities information about the nuclear accident in Japan and the consequences therof? (1=very little confidence, 10=very high confidence) Mean score: Sweden 6,8, Norway 6,9, Denmark 7,2

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Areas of improvement?
Domestically:
Designated spokespersons without other emergency response duties, adequate resource allocation, new technologies

In general:
Better access to timely and correct information about the accident The ability to meet the demand for information worldwide must be incorporated in every (regulatory) authoritys crisis communication planning. Information must be quickly forwarded to the IAEA Nuclear events, no matter where they may take place, concern all of us.

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