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Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Emergency Planning Guide (2009)

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) distributes an emergency planning guide to residents living within a 10 mile radius (called the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ)) of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant. Great Island, located just 3.75 miles south of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, is in SUBAREA #2 of the Emergency Planning Zone.

Here are a few essential facts for Great Island residents, taken from the 2009 MEMA guide;

1. If there is an emergency, you will be alerted by the loud, steady tone of the outdoor emergency sirens, lasting 3 - 5 minutes.
   
   

   HINT: Buy a AC/battery powered weather alert radio. A weather alert radio (about $30) will automatically turn on to NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) when there is an emergency or severe weather warning. NWR is an all-hazards radio network, alerting both weather and non-weather related events.

   
    
2. In the event of an alert, tune in to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station for emergency instructions;
    
        NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) - 162.550 (Hyannis, MA, Camp Edwards)
        WPLM - 98.5 FM (Plymouth)
        WPLM - 1390 AM (Plymouth)
    
3. If an evacuation is ordered, Great Island residents evacuate to the Taunton High School Reception Center.
   
   

   Route To The Taunton High School Reception Center

   Take Route 3 or 3A south to Route 6 (Cranberry Highway) west, to Route 25 west/495 North. Follow Route 25 west/495 north to Route 24 south. Follow Route 24 south to Route 140 north. Go north on Route 140 to Williams Street. Turn right on Williams Street. Follow Williams Street to the Owen Riverway. Turn left and follow the Owen Riverway to the Taunton High School Reception Center.

    

4. If you are unable to drive, an emergency bus runs right past Great Island, along Beaver Dam road. Buses will pick you up at any point along the route.
   
   

   Plymouth Emergency Bus Route

   The Plymouth Emergency Bus Route runs down Beaver Dam Road to Clark Road and then north on Long Pond Road.

   
   

5. If the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) advises people in the EPZ to take Potassium Iodide (KI), Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations will broadcast this advisory.
   
   

   " It is prudent to have potassium iodide prior to an emergency. Potassium iodide is an over-the-counter drug. Persons living within the 10-mile emergency planning zone may purchase potassium iodide at a local pharmacy." The shelf life of IOSAT (the Potassium iodide product distributed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)) is five years.