It was also intended to evaluate DWPF's ability to recognize, respond, and control a declared emergency as well as coordinate actions with the site emergency response organization. SRS controlled, evaluated, and critiqued the exercise. Westinghouse Savannah River Company and DOE ORR Team members observed the exercise. The site has an annual requirement to exercise the response capability of each facility and for the site-level emergency response organization elements and resources to participate in a minimum of one exercise. Training and drills are performed periodically to develop and maintain specific emergency response capabilities.
Drills provide supervised, hands-on training for members of emergency response organizations.
Exercises are used to validate the elements of the emergency management program. A site exercise is designed to test and demonstrate the site's integrated emergency response capability. The crane boom penetrated both the inner and outer tanks about four feet above the ground. The benzene leak created a toxic vapor, fire, and explosive hazard. The crane driver and flagman were both moderately exposed to the benzene vapors.