Integrated workshop and exercise held for emergency response by national-local agencies

The workshop and exercise were held on Saturday afternoon at PD House in Green City area of Ishwardi upazila, Pabna, under the initiative of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited.

Representatives from Pabna and Kushtia district administrations, police, health departments, Fire Service and Civil Defense, local public representatives, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, Rooppur project officials and other stakeholders participated in the workshop.

The chief guest was Dr. Syeda Naushin Parnini, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Special guest was Mahmudul Hasan, Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority. The session was chaired by Dr. Md. Zahedul Hasan, Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited.

In the first phase of the workshop, discussions were held on Rooppur power plant's safety systems, preparedness and response in emergency situations, national and international regulatory frameworks, and the duties and roles of relevant agencies. During this time, the plant's modern safety design, active and passive safety systems and international standards were discussed.

In the second phase, a tabletop exercise was held based on a hypothetical emergency scenario. In it, the responsibilities of participating agencies, mutual coordination, information exchange and decision-making processes were practiced.

The speakers said that integrated preparedness of relevant institutions at national and local levels is very important to deal with any potential nuclear or radiological emergency situation. Through regular training, drills and inter-agency coordination, it is possible to enhance emergency response capacity as well as further strengthen public safety and confidence.

In her speech as chief guest, Dr. Syeda Naushin Parnini said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is an important milestone in the country's energy security and sustainable development. Along with safe operation, effective emergency preparedness, inter-agency coordination and regular drills are important to gain public trust.

Mahmudul Hasan, Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, said that coordinated preparedness of the operator, regulatory body and relevant institutions following national rules and safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency will ensure public safety as well as increase confidence in the nuclear power programme.

In his speech as chair, Dr. Md. Zahedul Hasan said the possibility of a general emergency situation at Rooppur is extremely negligible. However, even if the possibility is low, it is essential to maintain maximum preparedness in accordance with national regulations and IAEA safety standards.

He said safe operation does not depend only on technology; the combination of skilled manpower, strong safety culture and effective emergency preparedness is also very important. He also said that Rooppur's skilled operation team, with assistance from Russia's experienced operational specialists, is ready to operate the plant following international standards.

Dr. Md. Kabir Hossain, Project Director of Rooppur Project, said emergency preparedness and the coordinated role of all stakeholders are very important for safe operation of the power plant.

The tabletop emergency response exercise at the workshop was coordinated by Md. Rabiul Islam and Md. Sabbir Ahmed of NPCBL.