Training, exercises and drills need to include postulated severe accident conditions to ensure that operators are as well prepared as possible. They need to include the simulated use of actual equipment that would be deployed in the management of a severe accident.

Operators at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP had not been specifically trained on how to manually operate systems such as the Unit 1 isolation condenser and fire trucks as an alternative source for low pressure water injection. Special attention is needed in personnel training to perform actions under conditions of prolonged loss of all power, with limited information about the plant status and no information on important safety parameters. Staff training, exercises and drills need to realistically simulate the progression of severe accidents, including the simultaneous occurrence of accidents in several units at the same site. Training, exercises and drills need to involve not only on-site accident management personnel but all off-site responders at the operating organization, local, regional and national levels.