TH17 Exploring the Advantages of a Collaborative Full-Scale Exercise Engagement

Cobalt Magnet is a series of national level exercises that address the management of offsite consequences from a radiological or nuclear incident. The exercises are led by the DOE and draw participation from a wide range of response organizations, including the NRC. Cobalt Magnet 2025 (CM25) is an unusually complex scenario with far reaching objectives. It will simulate a nuclear power plant disaster scenario in Michigan. Spanning a 7 day period, CM25 will offer a unique experience to practice deployment, incident management, and response prioritization across a wide array of stakeholders.

To facilitate comprehensive insights and perspectives, the panel members will discuss their respective objectives and insights and the expected benefits of participation in such a large scale exercise. Panelists will include representatives from the DOE, the National Nuclear Safety Administration, the NRC, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State of Michigan, and the government of Canada. Outcomes of this session will enable the NRC and its partners to explore facets of the response program that are often unpracticed and will foster a more realistic understanding of response capabilities.


SESSION CHAIR(S):
 

• Opening Remarks
  Michael Waters, Director, Division of Preparedness and Response, NSIR/NRC

SPEAKER(S):
 

• Cobalt Magnet Briefing
  Wendy Renno, Lead Cobalt Magnet 2025 Planner, U.S. Department of Energy (contractor)
• NRC Perspective on the Advantages of a Collaborative Full-Scale Exercise
  Jeffery Grant, Team Leader, Response Program Team, Response Training, Exercise, and Qualification Program, Coordination Branch, Division of Preparedness and Response, NSIR/NRC
• Cobalt Magnet 2025 - A Canadian Perspective
  Rowan Morris, Province of Ontario Lead Designer/Controller for CM25, Emergency Management Ontario
• Building Successful Exercises and Cobalt Magnet 25
  Scott Martzke, Radiological Emergency Preparedness Analyst, Emergency Management Homeland Security Division, Michigan State Police
• EPA's Plans for Radiological Incident Recovery
  Wagnus Prioleau, Associate Director, Center for Radiological Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

SESSION COORDINATOR(S):
 

• Jeffery Grant, Team Leader, Response Program Team, Response Training, Exercise, and Qualification Program, Coordination Branch, Division of Preparedness and Response, NSIR/NRC e-mail: Jeffery.Grant@nrc.gov
• Bennett McEllis, Emergency Response Coordinator, Coordination Branch, Division of Preparedness and Response, NSIR/NRC e-mail: Bennett.McEllis@nrc.gov