IRSN - Contingency and Security Planning within a Nuclear
Scenario
VEGA provided the Institute of Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety (IRSN) with an operational tool to enable an
interactive visualisation and analysis of the complete crisis
environment.
Background
In event of a nuclear disaster, the IRSN supports the
French Public Authorities to help define the actions needed to
protect and secure the surrounding population, and limit the
potential environmental impact. With direct access to police,
hospitals, emergency services and local authorities, the IRSN has a
vital role to play in the protection of the French nation in the
event of a targeted or accidental release of radiological
materials.
The Challenge
IRSN’s Nuclear Crisis Centre is constantly evaluating the real
and potential release of radiological materials, and assessing the
impact on the geographical area, environment, civil population and
wildlife.
The IRSN receives vast quantities of real-time data from
numerous sources, creating an end dimension mesh. This data is far
too complex for the human brain to comprehend. Therefore, the IRSN
uses a modular system to transform this data into information that
can be used to help evaluate the consequences following a targeted
or accidental release of nuclear, radio-active, chemical or dirty
bomb.
On a monthly basis, the IRSN simulates different radiological
scenarios and the impact of each disaster type. This information is
then used to help the IRSN determine the requirements for city
evacuations, geographical decontamination and the reduction in
potential effects on the surrounding wildlife and live stock.
How VEGA helped
The IRSN’s existing tool architecture represents a significant
breakthrough in the field of crisis management. It also provides a
common interface for communicating between the different services
of the complete crisis.
VEGA was asked to provide the IRSN with an operational tool to
enable an interactive visualisation and analysis of the complete
crisis environment.
The tool enhances the understanding of the crisis by visualizing
and analysing the complete information system. This tool provides
in real-time, a cartographic view of the impact on the surrounding
demographics and enables the IRSN to make informed decisions on the
radiological impact.
The VEGA Solution
VEGA has combined its skills in visualisation tools and methods,
which have been previously used to model complex satellite system
data, with specialist knowledge of the use of meteorological and
environmental data to produce a unique graphic toolset.
Our solution goes beyond the mere sterile analysis of data to
produce a dynamic toolset that helps the relevant authorities
rapidly assess and calibrate required action to minimise casualties
and the environmental impact.
The VEGA solution enables the IRSN to assess the impact on the
targeted zone and provide informed decisions, taking into account
the demographics, weather conditions and other influencing factors.
With their direct access to local services, the police and
emergency services, the IRSN can co-ordinate a quick contingency
plan to contain and minimise the affects of the contamination.
Benefits of VEGA's Solution
The IRSN benefitted in the following ways from VEGA's
solution:
- A rapid assessment of nuclear incidents achieved through a
real-time simulation tool that gives a visual analysis of the net
dimension mesh
- A timely, co-ordinated deployment of services to the potential
disaster zone which is achieved through the visualisation tool that
models the potential radiological threat
- Reduction of environmental and human impact of a radiological
release by identifying the potential reach of that release.
For further information about VEGA's work with IRSN, plesae
contact us.