Bruce Power distributing potassium iodide pills to Kincardine residents who live near Bruce Nuclear site

In an effort to better prepare Kincardine residents, businesses and institutions located around the Bruce Nuclear site, distribution of potassium iodide (KI) tablets will get under way later this year.

 

In committee-of-the-whole last night (April 1), community emergency preparedness co-ordinator Roberta Trelford told Kincardine council that the distribution is a combined effort amongst Bruce Power, the Municipality of Kincardine and the Grey-Bruce Health Unit.

 

The goal is enhanced emergency preparedness around the nuclear site and the broader region in the unlikely event of a radiological emergency or conventional emergency such as severe weather, said Trelford.

 

Last year, new regulatory requirements by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), that were supported by Bruce Power, called for enhancements to the distribution of the KI tablets which are currently stored at one central location within the Municipality of Kincardine.

 

'While it's always best to prepare for the unexpected, it's very unlikely that anyone would ever need to take potassium iodide to block an uptake of radioactive iodine,” said Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey-Bruce medical officer of health.

“It's important that while we work to enhance the manner in which these tablets are distributed that we don't create unnecessary public concern.”

 

“This initiative will replace the existing practice of having the tablets available in bulk at the Municipal Reception Evacuation Centre,” said Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie. “There is consensus that having the tablets in homes rather than at a central location, is more practical in the immediate area around the site.”

 

“Our region has a 50-year history of safe nuclear operations, and the distribution of potassium iodide tablets has been part of our ongoing emergency preparedness activities for years,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power's vice-president of corporate affairs.

“The improvements we're making will focus on the enhanced distribution, along with additional information for area residents using updated communications tools. We will also focus on extensive public outreach to ensure people understand this is not a new practice but an enhancement to an existing plan.”

 

Information packages will be mailed out early this month to about 1,500 residents and businesses within 10 kilometres of the Bruce Power site, outlining a number of options as to how to obtain these tablets for safe-keeping in their homes or businesses, with direct follow-up to occur with those residents.

 

Distribution in the broader area, which is 50 kilometres around the site, will also be enhanced later this year through an increased number of storage locations and more information provided to the public, using new communication tools.

 

Earlier this year, Bruce Power and a coalition of agencies and municipalities, with an interest in public safety, launched a new website to provide residents of Grey, Bruce and Huron counties with the information they need to prepare for emergencies.

 

The website – www.bepreparedgreybrucehuron.com – is an educational resource for the different types of emergencies all residents should be prepared for, and provides tips on what to do in the event of a fire, flood, tornado, winter storm, or nuclear emergency. The website has been updated with all of the new information related to this distribution enhancement plan.

 

Kincardine council watched a video featuring the information about the distribution of the KI tablets – this is one of the methods for public outreach. In the video, Eadie states she is confident in Bruce Power's safety management and emergency management plan.

“I thank all who were involved in this project,” she said. “They've been working on it since last year, covering every detail.”

 

Trelford said that letters will be sent to all residents and businesses within 10 kilometres of the nuclear site, early this month. There will also be three information sessions to help answer questions from residents.

 

Later, this year, letters will go out to those living within 50 kilometres of the Bruce site.