Reconstruction of the Chernobyl Emergency and Accident Management. Felix Schinner, Iouli Andreev, Irina Andreeva, Franz Fritsche, Peter Hofer, Eugenia Lettner, Emmerich Seidelberger, Helga Kromp-Kolb, and Wolfgang Kromp, Institute of Risk Research, University of Vienna, Tuerkenschanzstrasse 17/8, A-1180 Vienna, Austria, telephone +43 1 479 00 94, fax +43 1 479 00 95; e-mail risikoforschung@univie.ac.at
On April 26, 1986 the most serious civil technological accident in the history of mankind occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) in the former Soviet Union. As a direct result of the accident, the reactor was severely destroyed and large quantities of radio nuclides were released. Some 800 000 persons, also called "liquidators" -- including plant operators, fire-fighters, scientists, technicians, construction workers, emergency managers, volunteers, as well as medical and military personnel -- were part of emergency measurements and accident management efforts. Activities included measures to prevent the escalation of the accident, mitigation actions, help for victims as well as activities in order to provide a basic infrastructure for this unprecedented and overwhelming task.
The overall goal of the "Project Chernobyl" of the Institute of Risk Research of the University of Vienna was to preserve for mankind the experience and knowledge of the experts among the "liquidators" before it is lost forever. One method used to reconstruct the emergency measures of Chernobyl was the direct cooperation with liquidators. Simple questionnaires were distributed among liquidators and a database of leading accident managers, engineers, medical experts etc. was established. During an initial struggle with a number of difficulties, the response was sparse. However, after an official permit had been issued, the questionnaires delivered a wealth of data. Furthermore a documentary archive was established, which provided additional information.
The multidimensional problem in connection with the severe accident of Chernobyl, the clarification of the causes of the accident, as well as failures and successes and lessons to be learned from the Chernobyl emergency measures and accident management are discussed.
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