Nuclear Weapons

Emergency Preparedness Planning for Accidents Can Be Better Coordinated Gao ID: NSIAD-87-15 February 10, 1987

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) policies and practices for coordinating emergency planning for nuclear weapon accidents with states and localities.

GAO found that: (1) although the Air Force coordinates its emergency planning for all types of disasters, the Army and Navy generally exclude state and local governments from coordinated planning efforts for national security reasons; (2) some state and local emergency preparedness officials desire more communication with Army and Navy installations in emergency planning; (3) a national nuclear weapon accident exercise showed a need for more coordination because of the complexities involved in responding to such accidents and the hazards of radioactive contamination; (4) the services and civilian authorities coordinate emergency planning for other disasters; and (5) the Army and Navy could achieve emergency planning with states and localities for accidents involving nuclear weapons without violating DOD security policies.

Recommendations

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