26 © The Containment of Underground Nuclear Explosions from the sponsoring laboratory. The three mem- bers are all knowledgeable about the weaponstesting program and consistof: 1. an EPA senior scientist with expertise in radiation monitoring, 2. a weatherservice senior scientist knowledgeable in meteorology, and 3. a medical doctor with expertise in radiation medicine. Oncethe test has been approved for execution by the Test Controller’s panel, the Test Controller has sole responsibility to determine when or whetherthe test will be conducted. The Test Controller and Advisory Panel members conduct the following series of technical meetings to review the test:~ D-7 Safety Planning Meeting: The ‘‘D-7 Safety Planning Meeting’’ is held approximately 1 week before the test. This meeting is an informal review of the test procedure, the containment plan, the expected yield, the maximum credible yield, the potential for surface collapse, the potential ground shock, the expected long-range weather conditions, the location of radiation monitors, the location of all personnel, the security concerns (including the possibility of protesters intruding on thetestsite), the countdown, the pre-announcementpolicy, and any other operational or safety aspects related to the test. D-1 Safety Planning Meeting: The day before the test, the D-1 Safety Planning Meeting is held. This is an informal briefing that reviews and updatesall the information discussed at the D-7 meeting. D-1 Containment Briefing: The D-1 Containment Briefing is a formal meeting. The laboratory reviews again the containmentplan and discusses whetherall of the stemming and other containment require- ments were met. The meeting determines the extent to which the proposed containment plan was carried out in the field.2° The laboratory and contractors provide written statements on their concurrence of the stemming plan. D-1 Readiness Briefing: The D-1 Readiness Briefing is a formal meeting to review potential weather conditions and the predicted radiation fallout pattem for the case of an accidental venting. The night before the test, the weather service sends out observers to release weatherballoons and begin measuring wind direction and speed to a heightof 1,400 ft above the ground. The area around the test (usually all areas north of the Control Point complex)is closed to all nonessential personnel. The Environmental Protection Agency deploys monitoring personnel off-site to monitor fallout and coordinate protective measures, should they be necessary. D-Day Readiness Briefing: The morning of the test, the Test Controller holds the ‘‘D-Day Readiness Briefing.’’ At this meeting, updates of weather conditions and forecasts are presented. In additon, the weather service reviews the wind and stability measurements to makefinal revisions to the fallout pattern in the event of an accidental venting. The fallout pattern is used to project exposure rates throughoutthe potential affected area. The exposure rates are calculated using the standard radiological models of whole-body exposure and infant thyroid dose from a family using milk cows in the fallout region. The status of on-site ground-based and airborne radiation monitoring is reviewed. The location of EPA monitoring personnelis adjusted to the projected fallout pattern, and the location of all personnelon thetest site is confirmed. At the end of the meeting, the Scientific Advisor who is chairman of the Test Controller’s Advisory Panel makes a recommendation to the Test Controller to proceed or delay. If the decision is made to proceed, the Test Controller gives permission for the nuclear device to be armed. The operation of all radiation monitors, readiness ofaircraft, location of EPA personnel, etc., are confirmed.If the status remains favorable and the weatherconditions are acceptable, the Test Controller gives permission to start the countdown and to fire. If nothing abnormal occurs, the countdown proceeds to detonation. If a delay occurs, the appropriate preparatory meetings are repeated. 24in the case of tests sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA),the Scientific Advisor is from Sandia National Laboratory. 25Although the test has been pianned to be contained, test preparations include provisions for an accidental release of radioactive material. Suct provisionsinclude the deployment of an emergency response team for eachtest. 26For example, readings from temperature sensors placed in the stemming plugs are examined to determine whether the plugs have hardened.