Craig Piercy discusses ANS response to war in Ukraine

For example, as the conflict spread to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in March, the ANS team followed the situation closely—studying radiation monitoring data that was available online, exchanging information on the Microsoft Teams platform, and communicating with contacts on the ground. When inaccurate media reports about a fire at Zaporizhzhia appeared, the ANS team was ready. “The fire turned out to be in a training facility that was on the grounds of the nuclear plant, but not at all related to the nuclear plant,” Piercy said. Between maps, ANS experts with experience at Zaphorizhzhia, and communication with people on-site, ANS was able to stitch the facts together. “I think we were really able to correct for the record what happened and what didn’t happen in that area,” Piercy said—efforts that quelled fears of worst-case scenarios and helped tamp down sensationalism.

The overall response was a success. ANS communications director Andrew Coffman Smith added that the message to the media was, “This is not another Chernobyl,” and soon, the response team stopped getting alarmist requests from journalists.

Raising funds for nuclear workers: Piercy explained how within 24 hours of the invasion, ANS President Steven Nesbit suggested setting up a fund to aid Ukraine’s nuclear workers. Piercy was on board; ANS immediately coordinated efforts with ENS to direct funds to the Ukrainian Nuclear Society for distribution. “This is where having partnerships with like-minded organizations in the region became a big plus,” Piercy said, “because the challenge in Ukraine right now is getting things into the country and to the right people.”

As of this writing, about $150,000 has been raised to purchase such needed items as personal protective equipment, battery banks, food, clothing, medicine, and first aid supplies. Piercy added that donations will continue to be accepted as long as there is a need for them.

To donate to the ANS-ENS Ukrainian Nuclear Workers Humanitarian Fund, visit the ANS website.