PNNL

Abstract

At the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site, maintaining emergency preparedness and response capabilities is a high priority. A synergistic strategy has emerged for conducting consequence assessment modeling at the Hanford Site Emergency Operation Center (EOC). This strategy involves employing a two-pronged modeling approach. The first prong involves the use of fast, reliable, and locally hosted models to provide timely and conservative projections of the affected area and potential impacts. A key model used for this purpose is the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s APGEMS model. The second prong involves the use of sophisticated modeling resources that have greater functionality and flexibility but take longer to initialize, conduct a simulation, and deliver output products. This capability is provided by the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC). The Hanford EOC’s consequence assessment team has found it to be constructive to use both the APGEMS and NARAC models in their emergency preparedness training and exercises. Experience gained with the NARAC system has allowed Hanford EOC personnel to provide NARAC with constructive feedback on model usability, the appropriateness of some default modeling assumptions, and documentation needs. As a result of the synergism associated with using both modeling systems, the Hanford EOC is better positioned to efficiently assess potential consequences during an emergency response event and NARAC is better poised to provide improved modeling support for the Hanford region and other Department of Energy sites.