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For Immediate Release <br /> RISKS AND RESPONSE: <br /> NUCLEAR TERRORISM IN THE TRIANGLE <br /> A regional conference of national importance <br /> May 2, 2002, Chapel Hill, North Carolina <br /> For more information: Paul Thames, <br /> County Engineer, (919) 245-2300, <br /> tthames(),co.orange.ne.us <br /> Discussions among local emergency management officials in the Triangle area of North <br /> Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) have identified serious shortcomings in the <br /> capacity to manage a regional emergency stemming from a nuclear, biological or <br /> chemical attack, including an attack on the Shearon Harris nuclear power facility. <br /> A growing storage site for spent nuclear fuel, in a state with a high concentration of <br /> military bases and munitions, the Harris nuclear plant could be a prime target for <br /> terrorists. But what is the present state of readiness in the event of a catastrophic attack, <br /> accident, or partial shutdown of this important power,plant? How will parents get their <br /> kids out of school? How will people at nursing homes get to safety? Will medical care <br /> and qualified practitioners be available? How will real estate values be affected? What <br /> will happen to livestock? Will people be able to leave the area before being affected? <br /> These questions resonate not only for North Carolinians, but for everyone from New <br /> Yorkers to Nevadans. Local emergency management officials will come together with <br /> national experts to address them. <br /> The Orange and Chatham County, North Carolina Boards of Commissioners will initiate <br /> this regional effort to address emergency planning and other aspects of risks related to <br /> possible terrorism in the Triangle with a conference to be held at 7: .30 p.m. on May 2 at <br /> the William Friday Center in Chapel Hill. The conference represents the start of a <br /> systematic regional approach to improving emergency planning in the event of a terrorist <br /> attack, and to identify opportunities to minimize or eliminate risks wherever possible. <br /> The issues raised and the lessons learned will have implications for any cornmunity <br /> situated in the vicinity of a nuclear facility. <br /> Orange and Chatham officials believe that initially focusing on an event with the largest <br /> potential impact-- an atmospheric release of radioactive material from the Harris facility <br /> -- will facilitate the process of adapting regional strategies for multi-hazard emergencies <br /> with the greatest potential for the loss of life and property. The conference will feature <br />