In 1997 in Novovoronezh, there was set up a non-governmental organization “The Disabled of Chernobyl”, which united participants of the emergency clean-up after Chernobyl nuclear accident. More than 140 experts from Novovoronezh NPP at various times participated in the rectification of the consequences of Chernobyl NPP accident. More than 50 of them still work nowadays. In total, there are about 800 people in Novovoronezh who participated in Chernobyl NPP consequence management, settlers evacuated from the disaster zone.



In November, the organization celebrated its 15th anniversary. In this occasion, there was held a solemn event, which was attended by representatives of the city authorities, management and trade union organization of Novovoronezh NPP, Novovoronezh public chamber and guests - participants of Chernobyl accident from Ukraine and Sosnovy Bor.

For 15 years of activity, the organization of the disabled of Chernobyl did quite a lot of good things. The council of the organization chaired by Marina Vystavkina by all possible means protects the legal rights of Chernobyl NPP responders, takes care and pays attention to those who need protection and support.

“The social organization of Chernobyl cleanup veterans is a real force of our urban district,” noted in his welcome speech the head of the city, Yuri Pegusov. “Chernobyl NPP cleanup veterans take active part in the public life, all events and good initiatives taking place in our city. I’d like to tell you the words of sincere gratitude for the work you perform nowadays too, and, the most importantly, for the fact that you held out honorably in that hard for the country times. Thank you for your heroic deed.”
 
Yuri Pegusov awarded the guests from the Ukraine and Sosnovy Bor with “Rosatom” badges. Also, they received souvenirs from Novovoronezh nuclear power plant.

“Our city ties into Novovoronezh NPP directly,” said Vasily Tarasenko, the head of the social organization of Chernobyl NPP accident cleanup veterans (Zheltye Vody, the Ukraine). “We produce atomic ore, and since 1951, there has been working our mining and processing integrated plant, which prepares fuel for your plant as well. Now we have become related to your Chernobyl organization. Why not to get together for a proposal to the Administrations of our cities with the initiative to make our cities twinned?”

To let Novovoronezh people get acquainted with the history of Zheltye Vody, Vasily Tarasenko donated books about the city and many various souvenirs and memorable gifts to the city, NVO NPP and Council of the social organization of Chernobyl disabled.

After the solemn part, the meeting proceeded with a cup of tea, friendly chat, warmest congratulations and wishes.

Welcoming the members of the organization “The Disabled of Chernobyl”, Director of NVO NPP, Vladimir Povarov, said: “We have learned from this tragedy. Over the past quarter of the century, there has been made a lot for the safety of the nuclear industry, but we have to do even more.

After the accident at Chernobyl NPP, there was done a lot of work on the analysis of the causes of the accident and assessment of the status of all power units. Right after the 1986 accident, IAEA has introduced a concept of “safety culture” as a result of awareness of the role of the human factor in ensuring the safe operation of NPPs. By this time, there has been done a lot of work at all levels of NPPs’ operation in respect of safety culture improving. The sufficient safety level upgrading is a result of long-term and hard work both on the improvement of reliability of NPP systems and equipment, and improvement of the staff’s performance. We remember your heroism and will continue supporting you.”

The members of the city organization and guests visited the museum of Novovoronezh NPP in the Public Information Centre and saw the exposition dedicated to the participants of elimination of consequences of Chernobyl NPP accident.

Novovoronezh NPP is a branch of Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC. The plant is situated on the bank of the Don river at 42 km south of Voronezh. It is the first NPP in Russia, which operates reactors of VVER-type (Vessel type Pressurized Water Reactor with light water under pressure). Each of the five plant reactors are prime – a prototype of serial power reactors: No.1 power unit operates on VVER-210-type reactor, No.2 power unit – VVER-365, No.3,4 power units – VVER-440, No.5 power unit – VVER-1000.

At present, three power units are under operation (units 1 and 2 were stopped in 1984 and 1990, respectively).