SNRIU informs that international emergency response training ConvEx-3, under IAEA, which was conducted 20-21 November, 2013, successfully completed. Scenario on the training with code name “Bab Al Magrib” predicted events caused by explosions of “dirty bombs” in port of Tanger-Med and city of Marrakesh (Morocco) with the threat of cross-border and transnational impact on neighboring states. Totally 57 states and 9 international organizations were involved in training.

SNRIU and State Service of Emergency Situations took part in training ConvEx-3 from the Ukrainian side, which are competent national bodies under Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 2 October 2003 №1570. In particular, SNRIU perform functions on permanent basis of single competent national point of contact, responsible for support of around-the-clock duty, and functions of competent national body responsible for international informational exchange. State Service of Emergency Situations of Ukraine performs functions of competent body authorized to send and receive requests for assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency and to receive suggestions for assistance.

During the training Ukrainian bodies worked out the mechanism of interaction in the event of radiological accident outside Ukraine. Information-crisis center of SNRIU and regular units of State Service of Emergency Situations were activated and worked in around-the-clock regime. Experts of Crisis Staff of SNRIU analyzed operational information, that came from IAEA and other states, made forecasts to situation, based on actual weather conditions, transmitted operative information (actual and contingent) for Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine State Service of Emergency of Ukraine, Security Service of Ukraine and other executive bodies, issued public press releases. In it’s turn, State Service of Emergency Situations worked out issues to provide assistance to Morocco.

Lessons learned during the training can be used not only in case of explosion of “dirty bomb”, but in the case of nuclear and radiation accidents with other initial events.

As the result of the conducted training, the proposals for improving emergency response measures will be prepared both in national and international level.