Edgemead Library has temporarily closed its doors to patrons today, Tuesday 19 October, as it is taking part in a regulatory nuclear emergency exercise conducted by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR).

In an online post, the library indicated that the facility would be closed between 07:00 and 15:00 to support the NNR’s biennial emergency exercise for Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

The library’s hall is being used as a potential Mass Care Centre during the exercise to accommodate evacuees from communities surrounding the power station. The exercise involved emergency response vehicles and personnel operating on the premises, it said. These personnel included firefighters, disaster risk management and other first responders.

“Closing the library will help ensure public safety during the exercise,” it noted.

Planned regulatory activity

In a statement, the NNR said the exercise formed part of its ongoing regulatory oversight activities to assess emergency preparedness, evaluate response arrangements and strengthen coordination between organisations responsible for responding to a potential nuclear emergency. It said members of the public were advised that this was a planned regulatory exercise and did not indicate that there was an actual nuclear emergency at the power station.

Effective nuclear emergency preparedness requires clearly defined responsibilities, tested procedures and coordinated action between the organisations involved in emergency response. The exercise is a regulatory activity aimed at testing the effectiveness of relevant emergency response arrangement procedures and coordination mechanisms, it said.

“Through its regulatory control role, the NNR assesses whether safety and emergency preparedness arrangements meet applicable regulatory requirements. Exercises such as this are essential for evaluating practical readiness, strengthening response capabilities and promoting continuous improvement. The exercise will also help identify lessons and opportunities for further continuous improvement,” said Ditebogo Kgomo, chief executive of the NNR.

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