Strengthened nuclear security: the role of the Rapid Nuclear Action Force (FARN)

FARN: in the nuclear world, this acronym stands for Nuclear Rapid Action Force. An intervention unit little known to the general public, the FARN monitors nuclear safety in the shadows.

Composed of 300 people, it can intervene in less than 24 hours on any nuclear power plant in France. Focus on this nuclear emergency device that is unique in the world.

What is the Nuclear Rapid Action Force?

Operational since 2014, the FARN is an elite emergency unit integrated into EDF. Her role? Prevent a nuclear accident from becoming a disaster.

The origins and missions of FARN

The FARN was created in 2011 in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Its creation is part of the strategy to strengthen the nuclear safety deployed by EDF following the Japanese tragedy.

His mission? “Fighting the unimaginable”, in the words of Henri Proglio, then CEO of EDF.

Concretely, FARN can rescue any French nuclear power plant in less than 24 hours, regardless of the circumstances of the crisis (earthquake, flood, storm, etc.) and the state of the infrastructure. These specialized response teams are trained to operate in extreme conditions, in places with a high radioactive level, without resources or means of communication.

These nuclear firefighters intervene in support to the local crisis center for a rapid response to the nuclear emergency. Their priority objective is to resupply the reactors with water, compressed air and electricity. The challenges? Maintain the plant's minimum safety functions and avoid releases into the environment.

How is FARN organized?

The brain of FARN is based in Saint-Denis, on the EDF Cap Ampère site.

THENational General Staff is assisted by a recognition team And of four regional response services. The latter are installed as close as possible to the main nuclear power plants, in Bugey in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in Civaux in New Aquitaine, in Dampierre in Center-Val de Loire and in Paluel in Normandy.

The FARN has substantial material and mobile resources and advanced equipment (trucks, 4×4, cranes, barges, helicopters, helicopters, helicopters, helicopters, drones, robots capable of penetrating an irradiated area, generators, compressors, pumps, hoses...). The equipment is divided between the national base in Oise and the four local bases.

Who are the FARN's “red helmets”?

Each regional service is divided into four teams, called “columns”, in a nod to GIGN. Each is composed of 14 “teammates”.

In all, these are nearly 300 people who watch over the nuclear safety from France. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there are always 60 team members ready to go on an emergency response.

Team members are volunteers selected from among employees of nuclear power plants. They work part-time at the FARN, in parallel with their job. Continuously trained, they carry out several large-scale training exercises every year.

The role of the Nuclear Rapid Action Force in the management of nuclear accidents

Nuclear energy is not without risks. This is why, as soon as the first power plants were deployed, France deployed a highly regulated nuclear safety system. From risk prevention to crisis management, many private and public actors are committed to the safety of populations and the environment on a daily basis. FARN is one of them.

Risk prevention and control

The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) insures close monitoring of nuclear installations.

The reactors are subject to a comprehensive review every ten years. The extension of their operation is subject to obligations to bring them up to the latest technical and safety standards.

In addition, over 850 inspections of nuclear installations, scheduled or unannounced, are carried out every year. They are also evaluated regularly by the experts of the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In the event of serious and imminent risks, ASN may suspend the operation of a nuclear power plant.

Incident detection and evaluation

Nuclear incidents and accidents are strictly monitored. Even minimal, they must be declared to ASN and classified on The INES scale (International Nuclear Event Scale). The objective: analyze each incident and draw the consequences so that it does not happen again.

More than a hundred level 1 anomalies on the INES scale are recorded each year in France. They are safe for populations and the environment thanks to early warning systems in power plants. These security systems make it possible to act quickly as soon as the anomaly is detected to avoid incidents.

In over 60 years, only six incidents — levels 2 to 4 on a scale of 7 — have occurred in French power plants.

Managing emergency situations

The probability of nuclear accidents is very low in France in view of strict safety standards and controls. But nuclear actors are organized to act quickly in the event of an accident. Crisis management is organized around two intervention plans, coordinated by EDF and the public authorities.

The FARN intervenes within the framework of Internal emergency plan (PUI). It organizes all the actions to be deployed on site to bring the nuclear power plant back into a safe state, limit the consequences of the accident, ensure the safety of workers and help the injured. It is under the responsibility of the director of the nuclear power plant, under the supervision of ASN.

Public authorities are responsible for Special Intervention Plan (PPI). The prefect of the department coordinates all external measures to protect the environment and populations, to reduce the impacts of Nuclear energy (sheltering populations, distribution of iodine tablets, evacuation...).

How does FARN intervene?

The FARN has never intervened in a real situation before. Nevertheless, she exercises regularly according to a very supervised intervention protocol.

• Within 8 hours, the reconnaissance team intervenes to assess the situation; in parallel, the rear base is positioned to direct emergency operations.

• Within 12 hours, the four columns are deployed and put into action progressively, team by team.

• Within 24 hours, all units are operational.

Specialized response teams are autonomous. They can deploy heavy resources over a period of 3 to 4 days to manage the crisis and guarantee the minimum security of the power plant. They also take charge of the management of possible radioactive releases to ensure the protection of the environment and populations.

The FARN is an operational elite unit. It has never had the opportunity to deploy in real conditions since its creation almost ten years ago. EDF's objective is... that it never intervenes. Everything is done to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants so as not to need to mobilize these firemen of last resort whose intervention would be synonymous with a nuclear accident.

To go further, do not hesitate to consult our article: Extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants: strategic and economic challenges