Society's preparedness
To minimise the consequences of a nuclear accident, various authorities have clearly defined responsibilities and routines for how they should act. We have summarised the key points here.
The municipality
An important task for a municipality when something happens is to make sure that schools, care services and other services can continue as normal. In case of a nuclear accident, the municipality must also:
- summon its crisis management group
- co-ordinate municipal interventions
- co-ordinate information to the public.
The County Administrative Board
The County Administrative Board’s role is to protect people, animals and the environment from radiation following accidents. If an accident occurs, the County Administrative Board shall:
- alert and, if necessary, evacuate local residents
- inform the public
- set up a rescue command centre with a staff
- measure levels of radioactive substances
- decontaminate the surrounding area following the accident.
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority
Has a preventive responsibility to reduce the risk of radiation during accidents. The authority’s responsibilities include, amongst other things:
- coordinate national radiation protection preparedness
- monitor nuclear activities and ensure that safety and radiation protection rules are followed
- work to minimise the impact of radiation on people and the environment during an accident.
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency
Has a leading and coordinating role both before and during an accident. The agency shall, amongst other things:
- coordinate evacuation
- coordinate information to the public
- coordinate education and training in preparedness for nuclear accidents
- ensure that the warning systems around nuclear power stations are working
- help the counties hosting nuclear power stations with technical equipment.
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)
Calculate how radioactive substances are spread in the atmosphere.
National Board of Health and Welfare
Provides support and advice to the healthcare sector on treatment of people who have been exposed to radiation.
Swedish Food Agency
Following a nuclear accident, the agency carries out inspections of radioactive substances in food.
Swedish Board of Agriculture
Assesses the consequences for agricultural and food production following an accident. Provides recommendations and proposes countermeasures.