7 eee t. eee wba CRITERIA J Evacuation Introduction The decisicn to evacuate & community is critical for two princifal reasons. One, presumably there might be a health hazerd if the person- nel were allowed to remain, Two, there is always an element of danger and/or hardship to personnel involved in such an emergency measure. It is recognized thet extenuating circumstances may accompany any situation where conditions indicate evacuation es a noda of action, The size of the community, arezs end ecconncaations available for the evacuees, means of transportation and routes of evacuation, disposition of ambulztory cases, protection of the property left behind, and many other factors may enter into the decision rclative to evacuation, Further, it is recognized thet under certcin cenditions, the evacuatica of a community might not only prove rether ineffectuel bat could result in more radiation exposure than if the popwlation remained in place unless the situation be edequately evaluated. A blanket evaluation cannot be made in advance; each situetion can be unique. The follow- ing criteria therefore are suggested as guides in assessing the p-s- sible radiological hazards; the final decision must be made on the ah basis of all relevant factors know at the time.