The objective of this study is to investigate the safety awareness and effectiveness of the education and training for employees engaged in radiological emergency organization of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). In 2022, the questionnaire for the education satisfaction survey was revised to regulary evaluate the effect of edcation on perceptions of importance on emergency preparedness for nuclear research facilities. In line with, a standard questionnaire was created which covers 3 factors and 9 attributes, and the evaluation indicatior is based on a 5-point Likert scale. In 2023, the education on radiological emergency preparedness was conducted for 235 emergency staff. From May 24 to July 13, 2023, data was collected from a total of 235 emergency response personnels, including 28 new staffs and 207 maintenance staffs. Aa a result of response analysis, it was identified that education for radiological emergency response had a significant correlation with the promoting safety culture. It was found that senior emergency personnel with more years of experience are highly interested in radioactive disaster prevention and actively participate in and training. On the other hand, it was presented that new and less experienced groups tend to have a relatively high scored of the risk perception of nuclear research facilitites. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the practical curriculum in order to increase the participation of junior disaster prevention personnel in education and training, ensuring that they correctly recognize the risk of research facilities. This results are expected to be used to improve the quality of education and drills for radiological emergency response at KAERI.

Employees of nuclear licensees have to take the education for radiological emergency preparedness, as prescribed by presidential Decree. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), as an educational institution designated by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), has been conducting field-oriented workplace education. This aims to enhance understanding of radiological emergencies that may occur in nuclear facilities and to strengthen response capabilities to prevent and deal with accidents in the event of radiation emergencies or radioactive disasters. To accomplish these educational goals, a paradigm shift from the previous theory-oriented curriculum to a participatory curriculum with high field applicability is needed to strengthen the ability to respond to nuclear or radiological emergencies. In addition, a feedback system is required to manage the quality of education and improve the curriculum. In this regard, KAERI sought ways to revitalize the education to strengthen the emergency response competencies. Based on the concept of the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) methodology, which is recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the development and implementation of education and training for NPP personnel, an educational model and its feedback system were developed. Then, a field-oriented participatory curriculum operation and satisfaction survey were conducted to evaluate the educational effectiveness. Lastly, the survey results were discussed in a critique session to point out weaknesses and indicate areas for improvement, and then were used as data for educational quality assurance. This paper introduces the composition and effectiveness of KAERI’s SAT-based education model based on its recent three years of experience.

Once a radioactive material is released from the nuclear power plant (NPP) by accident, it is necessary to understand the behavior of radioactive plume to protect residents adequately. For this, it is essential to measure the radiation dose rate around NPPs at important locations. Our previous study developed a movable radiation detector that can be installed quickly in an accident to measure gamma dose rate in areas where environmental radiation monitoring system is not installed. The data measured by the detector are transmitted to the server in real-time through LoRA wireless communications. There are two methods to use LoRA communications; one is self-network, and the other is the network provided by the mobile carrier. A signal receiver, called a gateway, should be equipped near the installation location of radiation detectors to use a self-network without using the mobile carrier’s system. In other words, the movable radiation detectors we made can function if there should be any gateway near them. The distance capable of communication between gateway and detector is about 8 km in an open area without significant obstacles. Korea has many significant obstacles, such as mountains around most NPPs. Thus, the gateways could be installed in the proper position before the accident to operate the movable radiation detectors without problems. If the gateway is located at a high position like a mountain top, it could cover a wide area. In this study, the elevation database in the area around the NPPs was collected and analyzed to determine where gateways should be installed. The analysis range is limited in the urgent protective action planning zone. The optimization was also performed to minimize the number of gateways.