Emergency preparedness demands an effective and regular exchange of information. The IAEA maintains for this the EPR Information Management System (EPRIMS) and the International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS).
EPR information exchange
EPR Information Management System (EPRIMS)
EPRIMS is an interactive, web-based tool for Member States to share information on their EPR capabilities for nuclear and radiological emergencies at the preparedness stage.
The system allows Member States to record information about their EPR arrangements, perform a self-assessment of their status with reference to the recommendations outlined in the IAEA Safety Standards on emergency preparedness and response and, at their discretion, share information and knowledge with the Agency and other Member States.
EPRIMS features a database of nuclear power plants in Member States and associated technical data. This is linked to the Agency’s Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) and plays a key role for the assessment and prognosis process in case of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS)
IRMIS is the Agency’s second EPR information exchange system.
IRMIS supports the implementation of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident by providing a mechanism for the reporting and visualisation of large quantities of environmental radiation monitoring data during nuclear or radiological emergencies.
The system complements the Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE) by giving Member States, international organizations and the IAEA access to this data. This can assist the Member States’ official contact points (designated under the Emergency Conventions) in the decision-making process regarding public protective actions and other response actions during a nuclear or radiological emergency.
IRMIS is not an early warning system that automatically reports when there are significant deviations in values or when values are detected above certain levels. However, the system offers visualisation features that may be used to help the official contact points determine where elevated measurements may indicate that actions to protect the public may be warranted.
All data reported in IRMIS remain the ownership of the reporting Member State. It is reported in one of two categories:
- Routine data in the form of radiation dose rates from fixed monitoring stations; or
- Event data during a nuclear or radiological emergency.