Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG)

ORAU-led groups helps DOE operations protect its employees and the public

For more than 20 years, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) has helped the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) / Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) mission to ensure its operations are safe and its employees and members of the public are protected in case of an emergency.

The catalyst: The Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG), which is now more than 900 members strong.

The focal point of the EMI SIG is its subcommittees, which have been established as vehicles to enhance policy implementation and good practices in key areas. Outcomes from these groups include useful products, position papers and valuable input to DOE/NNSA on various subjects.

To support the EMI SIG, ORAU provides the infrastructure and experience necessary to:

• Share information
• Leverage resources
• Address major and recurring issues
• Review policy
• Develop guidance
• Benchmark operations
• Promote good practices
• Assess emergency plans and programs

One of the key successes of our work with the EMI SIG has been the creation of the computer-based tool Exercise Builder to assist DOE in planning emergency preparedness exercises.

This tool has since become a standard for DOE and is used by other agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Defense.

As a result of our successful management of the EMI SIG, ORAU is now coordinating the newly-formed Emergency Response Special Interest Group (ER SIG).

The ER SIG’s goal is to provide a forum to communicate and discuss policies, pertinent issues and challenges, and to provide training opportunities that promote continuous improvement related to NNSA’s emergency response asset community.