Technological Hazards Division (THD) leads the national effort to build and sustain capabilities in local jurisdictions to address technological threats and hazards. THD is a recognized national leader, working alongside our Federal and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners in building capabilities to respond to and recover from technological hazards as they exist now and may evolve in the future. The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REPP) ensures the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident.

Background on the REPP

On December 7, 1979, following the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident in Pennsylvania, President Carter transferred the federal lead role in offsite radiological emergency planning and preparedness activities from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to the FEMA. FEMA established the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness. REP Program responsibilities encompass only “offsite” activities, that is, state, tribal and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.