Based on the framework for post-accident rehabilitation preparedness elaborated in the EURANOS project (Dubreuil et al., 2010), a Norwegian Pilot Study was conducted in spring 2008 to test the suggested method. This article describes the method used in the Norwegian Pilot Study and the outcomes of the co-expertise meetings arranged.

Within the EURANOS project, 17 different demonstrations were conducted. The objective of these demonstrations was to apply a certain product in the operational environment of an emergency centre and to check its performance either in particular exercises or in their daily use. As a result of a demonstration feedback to the development team was provided, highlighting requirements for the further development of the product – if necessary. A second key pillar in the project was the intensive involvement of the RODOS Users Group (RUG) in the research activities. In particular all work packages related to the further improvement of the RODOS system have been observed by the RUG. In some of the work packages, the RUG was involved from the beginning and participated even in the design documents for the software development. Both mechanisms, the demonstrations and user involvement, guaranteed that the end user’s perspective was considered throughout all phases of the EURANOS project.

Two handbooks have been developed in conjunction with a wide range of stakeholders that provide assistance in the management of contaminated food production systems and inhabited areas following a radiological incident. Emergency centres in Member States not involved in the development of these handbooks were invited to take part in demonstration activities to establish whether the handbooks would be useful for the purposes of contingency planning and accident management. Some eight centres took part. Emergency exercises or similar events based on scenarios involving contamination of the foodchain and inhabited areas were used. Feedback from all of the demonstrations was positive with constructive criticism given on how to improve the navigation, structure and format of the handbooks. All of the key improvements highlighted during the demonstrations were taken into account and included in version 2 of the handbooks. Two additional demonstrations took place in Denmark and Slovakia to investigate the appropriateness and applicability of a stakeholder participatory process when applying the handbooks. These stakeholders expressed their willingness to discuss the issues at stake from contamination of food production systems and inhabited areas and gave a clear commitment to continue the process.

MOIRA-PLUS is a decision support system (DSS) designed to address the mid and long-term issues after nuclear accidents causing the contamination of freshwater bodies and catchments with radionuclides. It is designed to allow for a reliable assessment of the long-term evolution of the radiological situation and of possible alternative rehabilitation strategies, including an objective evaluation of their social, economic and ecological impacts in a rational and comprehensive manner. MOIRA also features a decision analysis methodology, making use of multi-attribute analysis, which can take into account the preferences and needs of different types of stakeholders. The main functions and elements of the MOIRA-PLUS DSS are described summarily, together with the conclusions from end-user’s experiences with the system. MOIRA-PLUS has proven to be a mature system, user friendly and relatively easy to set up. It can help to reassure the public by enabling a realistic evaluation of the complete impacts of possible recovery strategies. However, the users also identified possibilities for further improvement of the DSS.