Residents driving down Highway 18 were no doubt surprised to see emergency responders in the parking area near Waterford 3 on Aug. 27, but it wasn’t a real crisis situation at the nuclear plant, it was just a drill.
The hostile action drill was a first for Waterford 3, and is something that all nuclear plants in the country must go through.
Though the specific scenario varies, it does include one that must be responded to by the plant and parish, along with state and federal agencies.
The plant continued to operate as usual during the drill and most of the activity was performed at Waterford 3’s training building and the parking lot next to River Road.
Responders included local law enforcement, state police, the FBI, emergency services and the local fire department.
“The drill provides training and practice for plant emergency responders and offsite law enforcement, fire and medical responders in working together and coordinating responses in the very unlikely event of an attack on the site,” Waterford spokesman Carl Rhode said.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission directed each U.S. nuclear plant to conduct such a drill, and Rhode said that it was a valuable learning experience.
“The activity provides a tremendous opportunity to learn how to respond in the unlikely event of a security-related incident and further develops the already strong relationships between Waterford 3 and the various agencies involved in the drill,” he said.
Waterford was not judged during the drill, though both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and FEMA were involved.
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