In the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency, the Province of Ontario is immediately in-charge, followed by the Region of Durham, who the City of Pickering would receive direction from. Learn more at www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-management

The Durham Region Nuclear Emergency Response Plan (DRNERP) details offsite response actions to be taken in the event of a nuclear emergency at the Darlington or Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.

The Region is prepared to implement protective measures in a 10-kilometre zone around the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station to protect the public from exposure to a radioactive release.

Protective measures include:

• Evacuation: Residents will be advised to evacuate to designated facilities following evacuation routes designated by the Province.
• KI (Potassium Iodide) Pills: Potassium Iodide pills prevent or reduce the radioiodine absorption by the thyroid gland through the ingestion of a stable iodine compound. Residents may pick up Potassium Iodide pills free of charge at designated pharmacies.
• Public alerting: This includes sirens within 3 kilometres of the nuclear station, and an automated telephone dialing system to all homes within 10 kilometres of the nuclear station. Visit the Region of Durham website for more information on the public alerting system, including scheduled siren testing.

KI Pill Distribution to Pickering Residents & Businesses

In the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency, a potassium iodide (KI) pill is a key component to keeping you and your family safe. Changes outlined by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission now require that all homes and businesses within the primary zone of a nuclear station be provided with KI pills by 2016. As a result, those located within 10 km of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station will be receiving a package of potassium iodide (KI) pills in the mail. Please visit preparetobesafe.ca for more information. 

OPG Preparedness Emergency Awareness Kit

To find out everything you need to know about nuclear safety, OPG has created a Preparedness Emergency Awareness Kit so that our surrounding communities are prepared in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency.

For more information about Ontario Power Generation's nuclear generating stations, please contact:

Pickering Nuclear:  905.837.7272
Darlington Nuclear:  905.623.7122

Exercise Unified Command – Emergency Preparedness

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and partner organizations are participating in a nuclear emergency response exercise at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station September 27-28, 2023.

During this multi-day exercise, OPG, the Region of Durham, City of Pickering, City of Toronto and various other provincial and federal government agencies will work together to test the interoperability and elements of their respective response plans during a simulated incident. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), which is responsible for regulating nuclear stations in Canada, will observe the exercise and provide feedback to OPG.

Lessons learned from the exercise will be used to update response plans and reinforce collective emergency response preparedness at all levels.

Visit the OPG website for more information.