3.1.1 National nuclear and radiological emergency exercises In the same way as in previous years, and together with the SGDSN, the DGSCGC and the ASND, ASN prepared a programme of national nuclear and radio- logical emergency exercises for 2024, concerning BNIs and the transport of radioactive substances. This programme was announced to the Prefects in the interministerial instruction of 24 January 2024. Generally speaking, these exercises enable the highest-level decision-making circles to be tested, along with the ability of the leading players to communicate, sometimes with simulated media pressure on them. Table 2 describes the key characteristics of the national exercises conducted in 2024. In addition to the national exercises, the Prefects are asked to conduct local exercises for the sites in their département, in order to improve preparedness for radiological emergency situations and more specifically to test the time needed to mobilise all the parties concerned. The performance of a national nuclear and radiological emergency exercise, at maximum intervals of five years on the nuclear sites covered by a PPI, and at least one annual exercise concerning the transport of radioactive substances, would seem to be a fair compromise between the training of individuals and the time needed to effect changes to organisations. In 2024, in addition to the general objectives of the exercises listed in Table 2, additional objectives were introduced into the schedule, taking account of lessons learned and the results of the exercises and experimental training carried out in 2023. ASN is also heavily involved in the preparation and performance of other emergency exercises that have a nuclear safety component and are organised by other players such as: ∙its counterparts for nuclear security (HFDS – Defence and Security High Official reporting to the Minister in charge of energy) or for Defence-related facilities (ASND); ∙the international bodies (IAEA, European Commission, Nuclear Energy Agency – NEA); ∙the Ministries for Health, the Interior, etc. The experience acquired during these exercises should enable the ASN personnel to respond more effectively in real emergency situations. 3.2 Assessing with a view to improvement Assessment meetings are organised immediately after each exercise in each Emergency Centre and at ASN a few weeks after the exercise. ASN, along with the other players, endeavours to identify best practices and the areas for improvement brought to light during these exercises. These assessment meetings enable the players to share their experience through a participative approach. They more specifically revealed: ∙the importance of having scenarios that were as realistic as possible, in real meteorological conditions and that were technically complex enough to be able to provide useful experience feedback; ∙the importance of communication in an emergency situation, in particular to inform the public and foreign authorities as rapidly as possible and avoid the spread of rumours liable to hamper good emergency management, in France and in other countries; ∙the importance of providing the decision- makers with a clear view of the radiological impacts in the form of maps: the tool called “Criter” developed by IRSN gives a representation of the results of environmental radioactivity measurements. Exercises to ensure the system is fully operational by 1 January 2025 Act 2024-450 of 21 May 2024, relative to the organisation of nuclear safety and radiation protection governance, in order to address the challenges of the nuclear industry’s renewal, provides for the creation of the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) through a merger of ASN and IRSN. Since 1 January 2025, ASNR has thus taken over the duties currently performed by ASN and IRSN in an emergency situation. As of the publication of this Act, ASN and IRSN reinforced their collaboration to ensure the ASNR has an operational emergency response organisation by 1 January 2025. This emergency response organisation was tested on several occasions between September and December 2024, both during national emergency exercises (see Table 2 of 2024 national exercises), but also during “local” exercises organised by the nuclear licensees at the local level. Thus on Tuesday 17 September 2024, the ASN and IRSN teams met at the IRSN Emergency Centre in Fontenay-aux-Roses (the future site of the ASNR Emergency Centre) to take part in an emergency exercise organised by EDF on the Flamanville site, in ASNR operational mode for the first time. About thirty IRSN and ASN emergency team members took part in this exercise, which started at 9h20 with the triggering of the PUI on the Flamanville site. A large number of observers were also present, in order to familiarise themselves with the new organisation and prepare their feedback. This grouping in a single Emergency Centre was much appreciated by the participants and led to more fluid interactions between the various stakeholders, thus facilitating the production of recommendations and data used to assess the situation and intended for the public authorities. This exercise produced joint ASN-IRSN feedback for use by the working group in charge of implementing the ASNR emergency response organisation on 1 January 2025. A first exercise to test the ASNR emergency response organisation 180 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 Radiological emergency and post-accident situations
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