Article

The PREPARE project − Innovative integrated tools and platforms for radiological emergency preparedness and post-accident response in Europe

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.

Abstract

The 3-year PREPARE project that started in February 2013 aims to close gaps that have been identified in nuclear and radiological preparedness in Europe following the first evaluation of the Fukushima disaster. Among other issues, the project will address the review of existing emergency preparedness and response procedures for dealing with long-lasting releases, cross-border problems in monitoring and food safety, and further develop missing functionalities in decision support systems ranging from improved source term estimation and dispersion modelling to the inclusion of hydrological pathways for European water bodies. In addition, as the management of the Fukushima event in Europe was far from optimal, a so-called Analytical Platform will be developed exploring the scientific and operational means to improve information collection, information exchange and the evaluation of such types of disasters. This will be achieved through a collaboration of industry, research and governmental organisations in Europe, taking into account the networking activities carried out under the NERIS-TP project. Furthermore, the NERIS Platform member organisations (so far 50 partners) will be actively involved in the development of the new tools.