Modeling of a Nuclear Emergency Plan: Communication Management

ABSTRACT

The Nuclear Emergency influence domain spreads over a large number of systems of different natures. Nuclear Emergency Plans (NEPs) are usually designed using a top-down approach, establishing a hierarchy working as a command chain. Although this provides advantages in terms of control, it might not be flexible enough to face unpredicted emergent behaviors due to complex interactions among the systems involved. Using a real case study, this work models the organizational framework defined in a NEP and analyzes its communication and command chain network structure. We also discuss the results of the communication and command chain network analysis to facilitate the assessment of key indicators to improve the NEP: resilience, adaptability, and responsiveness.

Key Words:

• nuclear emergency
• nuclear emergency plan
• complex networks
• communication