The Federal Environment Emergency Response: Decision support for off-site emergency management in Russia

V. Shershakov
SPA "TYPHOON"-FEERC, Lenin St. 82, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249020, Russia.
Tel. : +7-08439-71633, Fax: +7-08439-40704,
E-mail: vs@rodos.typhoon.mecom.ru

Abstract:
The Federal Service of Russia on Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet) is a governmental organisation in charge of providing information about the radiation and chemical contamination of the environment in case of accidents to federal authorities, various branches of the economy, defence organisations and the public.

In this context, Roshydromet has established a specialised centre for providing real-time and prognostic information about emergency situations on the territory of Russia. The Federal Environment Emergency Response Centre (FEERC) has been based in SPA "Typhoon" in Obninsk and its primary responsibility is to provide information support in dealing with the consequences of a nuclear or chemical accident. Among other types of data to be provided by the FEERC are data on atmospheric and hydrological transport and dispersion of contamination in the environment. The FEERC works in close collaboration with organisations which, by Russian regulations, will be involved in emergency response.

The paper focuses on organisational and technical aspects of Roshydromet activities to obtain information on radiation and chemical emergencies and to present it to concerned organisations and agencies.

One of the primary ways to receive objective information required for analysis of the emergency situation and prediction of its evolution is monitoring of radioactive and chemical contamination of the environment based on the fixed monitoring network.

The FEERC of Roshydromet oversees nuclear and chemical facilities on a daily basis and interacts with territorial services of Roshydromet and relevant divisions of ministries and agencies, Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC) of the WMO and other national and international organisations in charge of providing information of radiation hazard at nuclear facilities.