Homeland Security
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REPP)

The REP Program coordinates the National effort to provide state, local, and tribal governments with relevant and executable planning, training, and exercise guidance and policies necessary to ensure that adequate capabilities exist to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from incidents involving commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs).

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of common questions about our program.

Click the plus (+) sign button to the left side of the course you would like to attend. The course availability date will appear on a drop down listing for the upcoming schedule course(s).
FEMA SID is a Student Identification Number. The FEMA SID number is required for registration. If a student needs to register for or retrieve their FEMA SID they should visit the FEMA SID website: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid. Please contact the FEMA SID Help Desk for assistance: femasidhelp@cdpemail.dhs.gov or 866-291-0696.
Yes, registration will close 2 business days prior to the scheduled start date.
Students are encouraged to register early for upcoming training courses when they are announced on the FEMA REPP landing page. If a student encounters difficulty with registering, they should email or contact the FEMA SID Help Desk for assistance: femasidhelp@cdpemail.dhs.gov or 866-291-0696.
The student will receive a generated email from the regional host training coordinator with an attachment. The student must follow the PDF attachment instructions. The student will receive another attachment acknowledging they are accepted in the class.
Select course materials can be downloaded prior to attending the course. Please follow the specific announcement instructions when downloading course materials.
No. Transportation and lodging for students is coordinated thru their respective agencies. However, the FEMA REPP program provides most on-site training materials for the class at no charge.
Student attire for these courses is business casual.
Students should prepare to spend at least 90% of course time in class and successfully pass the end of course class perquisites (usually associated with an end of course examination or evaluation).
Most of the courses have prerequisites prior to attending the on-site classes. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have completed all prerequisites prior to travel and attending their respective courses.
Any class emergency will be addressed on a case by case basis by the Regional Host Training Coordinator and FEMA REPP Instructor Cadre.

Related Links

Upcoming Training

Registration will close 2 business days prior to the scheduled start date.

This course provides an overview of the NRC-licensed nuclear power plant off-site radiological emergency preparedness program. Addresses the REP Program history and sentinel events, federal regulatory policies, basic radiation principles, REP planning guidance (planning standards), REP demonstration guidance (exercise evaluation areas) and the REP Disaster Initiated Review (DIR) process. At the successful completion of this course, the student will have satisfied the instructor-led training prerequisites for both the MGT-445 REP Plan Review Course (RPPR) and the PER-314 REP Exercise Evaluator Course (REEC).

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
Harrisburg, PA on 5/6 – 5/7/2024
Alfred, ME on 7/1 – 7/2/2024
West Columbia, SC on 7/15 – 7/16/2024

The purpose of a Preliminary Capabilities Assessment (PCA)/Disaster Initiated Review (DIR) is to determine the capability of offsite emergency response infrastructure following an extended plant shutdown, or shutdown caused by electric grid blackouts, malevolent act, pandemic or natural disaster (e.g., hurricane, tornado, flood, storm, earthquake) in the vicinity of commercial nuclear power plants.” This course is designed to provide the participant with fundamental knowledge of the PCA/DIR Standard Operating Procedure and Post Disaster Assessment of Offsite Capabilities Checklists. At the end of this course, participants should be able to demonstrate an awareness of the responsibilities, procedures and protocols for the accomplishment of a PCA/DIR and demonstrate an ability to function as a member of a DIR Team by participating in a DIR table-top exercise. During the course the participants will use RadResponder to assist in the collection/dissemination of assessment information and it is recommended that they have a RadResponder account prior to attending the class.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)
Washington, DC on 4/25/2024
Washington, DC on 5/7/2024
Washington, DC on 5/31/2024
Washington, DC on 7/30/2024

This course provides learners foundational knowledge on the preparation for, and conduct of, Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) exercise control, and presents an opportunity for participants to begin building controller skills. To prepare participants to control the flow (play) of scenario events to ensure an exercise is conducted in accordance with the exercise objectives and extent of play.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)
Dallas, TX on 4/29/2024

The FEMA/NPD/THD/Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program has developed an instructor-led course that will help Federal, State, tribal and local emergency managers and planners more effectively meet the challenges presented to the emergency responder community during a radiological incident at a NRC-licensed commercial nuclear power plant (NPP). The main purpose for the development of this abbreviated awareness-level course is to provide a precise training track which focuses on the specific needs of those 50-mile emergency planning zones jurisdictions responsible for addressing protective actions related to contaminated commercial food products during a radiological incident.

Course Delivery

  •  Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
Dallas, TX on 4/29/2024
Washington, DC on 5/13 – 5/14/2024
Washington, DC on 8/5 – 8/6/2024

The FEMA/NPD/THD/Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program has developed an Instructor-Led course that will assist Federal, State, tribal and local emergency managers more effectively meet the planning challenges presented to the emergency responder community during a radiological incident at a NRC-licensed commercial nuclear power plant. This awareness-level 0.5-day course will focus specifically and be limited to the introduction of the existing REP planning methodology. This methodology goes beyond the planning guidance provided in Comprehensive Preparedness Guide -101 and incorporates the unique preparedness aspects of FEMA’s REP Program.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
Washington, DC on 6/25/2024
Radiological emergency management is a term that describes efforts to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from events and to mitigate risk of future events that could result in significant radiation-related effects. No offerings at this time.
This web-based course is a prerequisite for the resident classroom course PER-316 “Radiological Accident Assessment Concepts (RAAC).” As such, this course provides only an overview of key concepts that will be addressed in more depth in the classroom course. No offerings at this time.

This course serves as a primer for the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program stakeholders on the purpose and use of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) joint guidance document, NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 2.  

This guidance document focuses on preparedness for radiological incidents at commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) that could impact public health and safety. It describes, and makes available to the public, approaches that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and FEMA consider acceptable for use in implementing specific parts of each agencies’ regulations.

This 45 minute Independent Study Training (IST) is a self-paced, web-based course addressing the following topics:

  • History and Foundations of the FEMA REP Program
  • Structure and Guidance provided by NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Revision 2 (Rev. 2) 
  • How Different Organizations Use and Apply NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Revision 2 (Rev. 2) 
No offerings at this time.
This web-based course provides a basic awareness and understanding of a radiological event, and how the information supplied during the event may affect your decision-making process. No offerings at this time.

This course focuses on the review of REP emergency plans, specifically the NUREG 0654 FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1 planning standards that address the public’s health and safety. The REP Plume Plan Review Course will include training based on the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) -101, familiarization of Hostile Action Based (HAB) plan review, annual plan review and the Annual Letter of Certification Review Guide process. Required: Each student should bring a copy of their ORO's REP Plan for use during the classroom exercises, to include the NUREG Cross-reference (electronic or otherwise).

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
Harrisburg, PA on 5/7 – 5/9/2024
West Columbia, SC on 7/16 – 7/18/2024

This course focuses on the review of REP emergency plans, specifically the NUREG 0654 FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1 planning standards that address the public’s health and safety. The REP Plume Plan Review Course will include training based on the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) -101, familiarization of Hostile Action Based (HAB) plan review, annual plan review and the Annual Letter of Certification Review Guide process. Required: Each student should bring a copy of their ORO's REP Plan for use during the classroom exercises, to include the NUREG Cross-reference (electronic or otherwise).

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
Harrisburg, PA on 5/7 – 5/9/2024
West Columbia, SC on 7/16 – 7/18/2024

This course focuses on the review of offsite response organizations’ radiological emergency preparedness (REP) plans and implementation procedures utilizing the 16 planning standards (from 44 CFR Part 350 and 10 CFR § 50.47) and associated evaluation criteria (from NUREG-0654 FEMA-REP-1, Rev.1 or Rev.2) which address protecting the health and safety of the public when responding during the post-plume phase of a radiological emergency at an NRC-licensed commercial nuclear power plant. The scenario-driven classroom exercises will focus on the participants’ organization Post-Plume (Intermediate) Phase plans and implementation procedures for response activities related to Relocation, Reentry, Return using EPA Protective Action Guidelines and the Ingestion Exposure Pathway protective actions following FDA guidelines.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers)  
No offerings at this time.

Topics include regulations and guidelines for evaluating REP exercises, in preparation of, observations during, post-exercise activities, and techniques for exercise evaluation. This also includes the observation of video vignettes of REP exercises and the development of exercise narratives submitted for review by REP adjunct instructors. Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and utility personnel who are involved in the development of off-site REP plans and exercises may apply. This course fulfills the credentialing training requirements for becoming a Type III REP Exercise Evaluator.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers
Auburn, NE on 5/14 – 5/16/2024
Philadelphia, PA on 5/28 – 5/30/2024

This course addresses radiological consequences of accidents involving radiological materials. This includes accidents or incidents involving commercial power reactors, lost sources, dispersion devices, and transportation. The focus of the course is concepts involved in formulating protective action recommendations following a radiological accident, such as dose quantities, atmospheric dispersion, dose projection, protective action guides, and derived intervention levels. Participants engage in problem-solving sessions and a tabletop exercise. The participant is required to pass a final exam.

Course Delivery

  • Primary – Non-Resident; Secondary – Resident (National Emergency Training Centers) 
Windsor Heights, IA on 7/22 – 7/26/2024
Charleston, WV on 8/12 – 8/16/2024

Radiological Emergency Response Operations is a five-day course includes lectures, hands-on training, and team exercises. Students learn the concepts, equipment, and procedures related to radiological incident response, including a commercial nuclear power facility. During the course, the responders work in teams to perform radiological emergency response operations in a realistic exercise environment. The course culminates with an exercise that implements the Incident Command system in response to an incident that requires team coordination. The course adheres to Federal Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, the Environmental Protection Agency Manual or Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for Nuclear Incidents and Federal regulations.

Course Delivery

Resident (National Emergency Training Centers – Center for Domestic Preparedness -CDP)  

Anniston, AL on 6/9 – 6/15/2024
Anniston, AL on 8/25 – 8/31/2024

In this course, students will learn the concepts, equipment, and procedures related to a commercial NPP radiological incident response. Major aspects of responding to a radiological incident are maintaining EW and citizen safety and identifying the type and scope of the radiological hazard. In this course, students are organized into teams to perform radiological field response operations in a realistic exercise environment. The course culminates in an exercise that reflects the key responsibilities of an EW, working as part of a field team, responding to an NPP incident.

No offerings at this time.

For more information on our courses please visit the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program page on fema.gov.

About Us

The NRC is responsible for emergency preparedness at the Nation’s commercial NPPs. Following the March 1979 Three Mile Island accident, Executive Order 12148 and the Presidential Directive of December 7, 1979 transferred the federal lead role in offsite emergency planning and preparedness activities from the NRC to FEMA. This assignment aligned with FEMA’s statutory role in promoting, funding, coordinating, and providing technical assistance for disaster preparedness, as defined in Section 201 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.2.

FEMA established the REP Program to manage its responsibility for ORO emergency planning and preparedness in areas around commercial NPPs. The NRC retained responsibility for onsite activities. The NRC Authorization Acts of 1980 (Pub.L. 96-295) and 1982-1983 (Pub.L. 97-415) directed the NRC to establish emergency preparedness as a criterion for licensing commercial NPPs.

Specifically, the NRC Authorization Acts prohibit the NRC from issuing an operating license for an NPP unless it finds that “there exists a state, local, or utility plan which 2 42 USC 5131, as amended by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law (Pub.L.)100-707, 102 Stat. 4689 (1988). This Act constitutes the statutory authority for most federal disaster response activities, especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs. 44 CFR Part 352 allows for the submission of offsite emergency response plans/procedures by a licensee in those instances where OROs, either individually or together, decline or fail to prepare commercial NPP offsite radiological emergency preparedness plans/procedures that are sufficient to satisfy NRC licensing requirements provides reasonable assurance that public health and safety is not endangered by operation of the facility concerned.”

The acts also provides for the NRC to consult FEMA in developing standards for evaluating plans/procedures and in making individual determinations that the plans/procedures provide reasonable assurance for protecting public health and safety.

The NRC revised its regulations in 10 CFR Part 50 to incorporate additional emergency preparedness requirements, including 16 Planning Standards for onsite and offsite emergency response plans/procedures.

In 1980, the NRC and FEMA jointly issued NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1 to provide onsite and offsite planning guidance to protect public health and safety in the event of an incident at an NPP. This document includes the 16 Planning Standards and associated Evaluation Criteria for assessing whether the licensee and the affected OROs have plans/procedures in place that provide a reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken.

FEMA regulations in 44 CFR Part 350 address the review and approval of ORO emergency plans/procedures for responding to radiological emergencies at commercial NPPs. These regulations also include the 16 Planning Standards and incorporate by reference the joint NRC-FEMA guidance document NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1.