During this week INEX 6. It is coordinated by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic in cooperation with the Department of Health and the Office of Nuclear Supervision of the Slovak Republic. Other resorts and organizations participate. Participants shall examine the processes for long-term recovery and the existing exposure situation after the end of the radiation accident.
Following the resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the INEX 6 exercise is held on 12-16 February 2024, which aims to verify the readiness of the Slovak Republic for long-term restoration and the existing exposure situation after the end of a nuclear or radiation accident and testing of key areas for recovery preparedness. The event will take the form of a Table-Top exercise in the Congress Hall of the Ministry of Health. A series of INEX International Emergency Exercises, organised by the Atomic Energy Agency at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/NEA), serves to verify the management of emergency exposure situations. In addition to the Slovak Republic it will take place gradually in 25 countries.
Minister of Health Zuzana Dolinková introduced everyone to the resort. The Slovak Republic has already been involved in international testing by conducting such exercises in the past. We have confirmed the necessity of our country's participation in such activities. We will identify possible shortcomings and then we can better set up measures to manage nuclear and emergency radiation events at national and international level, said the Minister for Health.
State Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Patrik Krauspe, believes that we will never have to implement such a situation in practice. –However, we must be prepared for all possible situations and threats. It is therefore necessary to test and improve the state's response capacities to crisis situations. Exercise is an opportunity to exchange experiences, education and dialogue between them, which is essential for cooperation;The State Secretary said at the outset.

Vice-President of the Office of Nuclear Supervision of the Slovak Republic Eduard Metke explained that countries that do not operate nuclear installations also participate in the exercise. The OECD NEA baseline scenario was based on a fictitious event in the transport of radioactive materials. During the preparatory phase, the Slovak Republic adapted the scenario in such a way that all activities that should be carried out in the event of such a nature can be practiced, told Eduard Metke. He pointed out that the high safety requirements for the transport of radioactive materials were highly unlikely.
The first day of the exercise will be devoted to the health impact of such events. The exercise includes a series of four modules that focus on key and topical areas in terms of long-term recovery management: Module 1 HEALTH IMPACT: review of established standard procedures and documentation to implement and maintain a long-term health monitoring and screening programme. Issues related to mental health and psychosocial aspects, long-term medical surveillance and surveillance. Module 2 FOOD SAFETY: Examining whether there are standard procedures and documentation supporting the recovery of food stocks, trade and consumer confidence. Issues related to food monitoring, food restrictions, international and domestic food trade. Module 3 DECONTAMINATION AND RENEWATION: Review whether standard procedures and documentation will support the implementation of corrective actions. Issues related to natural or built environment remediation, soil contamination and access control. Module 4 MANAGEMENT OF WASTE: Examining whether existing standard procedures and documentation for the management of radioactive waste generated in a crisis situation can be applied. Issues related to the storage, treatment, characterisation, transport and disposal of radioactive waste.
Information on the progress and report on the exercise will serve to develop an evaluation questionnaire and to evaluate the exercise in terms of national and international evaluation. The analysis of the questionnaire replies will serve as an input to the subsequent OECD/NEA international workshop to evaluate the exercise.