Decision makers must react in a prompt and appropriate manner in various emergency situations. The bases for decisions are often predictions produced with decision support systems (DSS). Actual radiation measurement data can be used to improve the reliability of the predictions. Data assimilation is an important link between model calculations and measurements and thus decreases the overall uncertainty of the DSS predictions. However, different aspects have to be taken into account for the optimal use of the data assimilation technique: different countries may have differing measurement strategies and systems as well as differing calculation models. The scenario and the amount and composition of radionuclides released may vary. In this paper we analyse the situation during and after an accident and draw up a list of recommendations that can help modellers to take into account the measurements that are best suited for data assimilation.

The decision support system RODOS (Ehrhardt and Weis, 2000) contains a large set of simulation models, data bases, user interfaces and system functionalities. However these many options resulted in heavy-weight and complex user interfaces difficult to handle by non-experts. For this reason a user friendly and light-weight access to the RODOS functionalities was requested by the end users. This was fulfilled by the design and implementation of a new user interface named RODOS-Lite. The main purpose of this redesigned user interface is to gently lead operators through a sequential line of input masks, hiding rarely used parameters (defaults are set) from the operator but still providing the possibility to access them if necessary. Additionally, the interface is strongly safeguarded to prevent operators from entering wrong input values. This is achieved by systematically checking input values and even suggesting occasionally best estimate parameters. RODOS-Lite is complemented by various simple but nevertheless extremely useful features such as online access to Google maps or source term visualisation.

The ERMIN model is a new implement developed to enable estimation of the radiological consequences in inhabited areas of accidents in nuclear installations. Similarly, AGRICP is a model developed to enable estimation of the radiological consequences of contamination of agricultural production areas. This paper provides a short overview of the background of the two models and describes the features enabled through their implementation in the ARGOS decision support system. The integration allows calculation of both dose rates and doses in particular areas, and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness and costs of countermeasure strategies.

Experience following the Chernobyl accident in the CIS and the EU has clearly demonstrated that policies and strategies for long-term management of extensive contaminated areas must give due importance to social, cultural, ethical, environmental, economic and political factors beyond the sole radiological protection and health perspective. What is at stake in the long-term response to such a situation is the sustainable rehabilitation of living conditions in affected territories, in a context in which each person can actively contribute to his own protection. Preparing or developing rehabilitation of living conditions in a territory affected by long-lasting radioactive contamination is a broader issue of governance as it must address all affected dimensions and articulate the actions of the various concerned actors at the local, regional and national level. To respond to this challenge, a specific research project was implemented by Mutadis, CEPN, NRPA and AgroParisTech from April 2004 to June 2009 in the framework of the EURANOS integrated programme. The overall objective of this project was “to develop a strategic and methodological framework that can inform or assist national authorities in Europe in establishing arrangements for the long-term management and the sustainable rehabilitation of living conditions in extensive areas that may be contaminated as a result of an accident or malevolent act involving radioactive material”. The proposed framework describes a two-steps method allowing national and local authorities together with key stakeholders to establish arrangements and preparation strategies in the perspective of long-term management of a radiological event. It may also be used to develop rehabilitation strategies in countries affected by long-lasting radioactive contamination. This framework aims to set up favourable conditions for stakeholders (in particular local communities) to engage effectively and sustainably in the cooperative development of post-accident preparation or management strategies. The first step of the method aims to frame the issue and identify conditions for stakeholders to engage in rehabilitation preparedness or management strategies. The second step aims to develop a local-national cooperation platform gathering local and national, private and public actors to develop together preparation or management strategies.

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.