The emergency preparedness plan for a nuclear power plant includes an area within a 10-mile radius around the plant. The facility’s emergency response plan must be discussed and agreed upon by the organization operating the power plant, by local and county emergency response officials, and by state emergency management officials. The plan is then reviewed by the National Regulatory Commission (NRC) for adequate on-site preparedness, and by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for adequate offsite preparedness.

In addition to the coordinated facility, local, and state emergency plan, federal agencies have plans in place to coordinate their response activities and share their resources in support of state and local officials during an emergency. Coordination activities include joint planning and training sessions and exercise participation.

Potassium Iodide  (KI) is a protective measure for the general public to supplement sheltering and evacuation in the event of a severe nuclear power plant accident. KI, if taken within the appropriate time and at the appropriate dosage, blocks the thyroid gland’s uptake of radioactive iodine and thus reduces the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine that has could be dispersed in a severe reactor accident.

Geauga Public Health is the official distributor of KI for residents living within the 10 Mile KI Distribution Zone of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. This includes a portion of Thompson, Ohio residents; if residents are in need of KI please call 440-279-1950.