Investigating the knowledge and preparedness of proximal residents to a general-emergency event at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

Alberto P Francioli

doi:10.4102/jamba.v8i2.208

Abstract

Ward 23 in the City of Cape Town South Africa is situated within 16 km of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS). Massive investments were made to provide the 13 800 residents of Ward 23 with information on emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures in case of a general-emergency event at KNPS. However, it is not known whether these efforts to inform and prepare the proximal residents for a general emergency have been effective or not. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge of and preparedness for an emergency exhibited by residents of Ward 23. Data was collected through the distribution of semi-structured questionnaires to 204 residents at the study site to ascertain their views on the provision and accessibility of emergency information and to find out whether they utilised this information to prepare themselves. The results revealed that the majority of interviewed residents had very poor knowledge concerning emergency procedures, and few had made any effort to prepare themselves. The majority of better-informed and prepared residents tended to reside closer to KNPS. The poor levels of knowledge and preparedness are attributed to residents’ lack of awareness concerning the availability of information, misconceptions regarding a nuclear hazard and a general emergency event or a lack of incentive to inform themselves due to a perceived high sense of security and the improbability of such an event occurring. To improve resident knowledge and preparedness, efforts should be made to advertise the availability and importance of such emergency information and enhance incentives for residents to inform themselves.

Highlights

Nuclear energy, whilst being a critical source of energy, has the potential to be a devastating hazard (Koronowski & Romm 2013)
Despite the availability of this information through various mediums, it is unknown whether residents of the Formal Emergency Planning Zone (FEPZ) utilise the information to better inform and prepare themselves for a general emergency event
Ward 23 was selected as the study site because the ward is situated almost wholly within Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS)’s 16 km Formal Emergency Planning Zone with its five suburbs situated next to the station as seen in Figure 1 and Table 1

Summary

Introduction

Whilst being a critical source of energy, has the potential to be a devastating hazard (Koronowski & Romm 2013). Over the last 40 years, there have been several general emergency events, causing significant disturbances to people’s health and livelihoods (World Nuclear Association 2012) During such events, it has been necessary to evacuate people living within the vicinity of such stations in order to avoid contamination by radiological fallout. 140 000 people reside within the immediate 16 km radius of the KNPS, known as the Formal Emergency Planning Zone (FEPZ) Institutions such as Eskom and the City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre (CoCT DRMC) invested much effort and resources into preparing for a potential general emergency. Despite the availability of this information through various mediums, it is unknown whether residents of the FEPZ utilise the information to better inform and prepare themselves for a general emergency event

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion