RIMNET - THE UNITED-KINGDOM GOVERNMENT SYSTEM FOR RESPONSE TO OVERSEAS NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS

Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the United Kingdom (UK) Gove rnment set up a National Response Plan for dealing with overseas nucle ar accidents. The key element of the Plan was the establishment of a n ational radiation monitoring network and nuclear emergency response sy stem known as RIMNET (Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network). The sy stem uses state-of-the-art radiation monitoring, data collection, comp uting and communications technology. This paper describes the design o f RIMNET and its use for Government decision support in the event of a nuclear accident.