Onsite and offsite emergency centers are activated. Emergency A Site Area Emergency consists of events that are in progress or have occurred which involve actual or likely major failures of plant functions needed for protection of the public. Any releases are not expected to exceed EPA PAG exposure levels except near the site boundary. Consideration of appropriate protective actions, based on actual or projected data, is warranted. Assembly and accountability of personnel onsite is mandatory for a Site Area Emergency.
Onsite evacuation is initiated if indicated to be necessary by actual or projected doses.
General Emergency A General Emergency consists of events that are in progress or have occurred which involve actual or imminent substantial core degradation or melting, with potential for loss of containment integrity. Releases can be reasonably expected to exceed EPA PAG exposure levels offsite for more than the immediate site area. There is prompt notification of NRC and appropriate state and county authorities of the General Emergency status. The 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in the USA would be classified as a Site Area Emergency under today's regulations. The 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine would be classified as a Level 7 Emergency.