Enhancing national emergency management system for nuclear emergency preparedness and response in the light of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

Abstract

A study has been carried out to enhance Indonesian emergency management system for nuclear emergency preparedness and response. The study is very important considering that Indonesia is a nuclear embarking country. The descriptive-analytic method is used to evaluate the current regulatory infrastructure against relevant international standards and conventions. Then, the results of international peer reviews to the system performed in 2015 and 2016 are also discussed. Finally, lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident are analysed as well. The study concluded that Indonesia has its commitment to developing the national emergency preparedness and response system. Furthermore, there are some areas for improvements. Among others, Indonesia needs to harmonized its Laws and fully adapt relevant international standards and conventions. The system should be the priority to be established using an integrated all-hazard approach, which requires leadership and coordination role of the national agency for disaster management. In the light of the Fukushima accident, it was identified that the system should also reflect severe accident scenario, which requires: A wide range of documentation that is to be developed, coordinated and harmonized; a comprehensive justified well-informed decision-making system; competency building scheme; and that all of these have to continually be reviewed and improved.