Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Program

New Brunswick has a well-established Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Program which conforms to international norms for program management.

In collaboration with NB Power, the provincial government invests regularly to maintain competencies to manage any off-site emergency. Shared situational awareness and coordination is ensured across jurisdictional boundaries and all levels of government.  This enables an integrated approach to emergency management. 

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has operated safely for over 40 years.  Since its construction, the emergency preparedness program has been governed by two principal plans:

• The On-Site Plan — This document is specific to NB Power and details procedures to be followed by plant staff involving an emergency confined to the facility, and not posing a danger to the public
• The Off-Site Plan — This is a provincial government document, overseen by the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization. This plan details procedures to be followed for an emergency at the plant which would pose danger to the public and so would require a coordinated response from many provincial departments, as well as from external supporting agencies.  

While the risk to life or the environment from an accidental major release of radionuclides, or other industrial accident, is remote, it is in the public interest to be prepared to respond, by having in place effective emergency plans.

The plan contains the basic information, detailed responsibilities and immediate actions required to safeguard the public and the environment. It is reviewed and revised every two years to reflect changes in technology and assigned emergency management responsibilities.

This plan will be implemented on the authority of the director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO). The organization maintains a close, collaborative relationship with NB Power as a key critical infrastructure partner in all matters of emergency management. 

There is an emergency notification system in place for your safety. Through this system, we can pass along important emergency-related messages to residents within a 20-kilometre radius of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.  It’s crucial that residents know how to use the system and to confirm receipt of emergency messages.  

The following instructions will guide you through the process when an emergency notification test is performed, or during an actual event.

• When you see NB EMO / OMU NB 453-2133 or Unknown name 453-2133 on your telephone call display, this means the call is coming from NB-EMO. 
• When you answer the phone, you will hear: “The following is a message from the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization,” then a computer-generated voice will ask you to hit “1” to listen to the message. 
• When you receive an emergency notification message, listen to the entire message. 

• Listen to the message and then wait for confirmation instructions: “To confirm receipt of this message, please hit 1.” 

OR

• If you receive the message on your voice mail or answering machine, the message will include a phone number (1-866-505-4912) and a confirmation number. 
• Call the number, enter the language (1 for English, 2 for French) and when prompted, enter your confirmation number and hit the pound (#) key. 

Point Lepreau residents: If you move from the area, or your contact information changes, please advise NB-EMO (1-800-561-4034) or the Musquash Fire Department (506-672-2702).  

Potassium iodide (KI) protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine exposure during nuclear events. KI saturates the thyroid with stable iodine, blocking radioactive iodine absorption for 24 hours. KI does not prevent radioactive iodine from entering the body or reverse thyroid damage. 

High-risk groups including infants, children, young adults, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and adults over 40 should avoid KI unless advised. 

Potassium iodide was distributed to every residence and business out to 20 kilometres from the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station in the summer of 2021. Individuals within the 57 km Ingestion Planning Zone who are interested in obtaining potassium iodide can contact NBEMO at 1-800-561-4034. Potassium iodide is also stockpiled in numerous locations in southern New Brunswick to be distributed in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency. In the event of an emergency at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station potassium iodide will also be made available to the public at Reception and Decontamination Centres.