What is the fine if the emergency coordinator at an airport does not notify the NRC in the case of an emergency?

• A. $5,000 fine
• B. $1,000, a year in jail or both
• C. $10,000, a year in jail or both
• D. No penalty

Answer: (C)

Mandatory reporting of emergencies to the NRC carries serious civil and criminal consequences to ensure timely notification for public safety. If an airport emergency coordinator fails to notify the NRC, the regulation allows a civil fine of up to ten thousand dollars and the possibility of criminal penalties up to one year in jail, or both. This reflects how critical prompt reporting is for regulators to coordinate a safe response, assess risks, and protect the public. Smaller fines or no penalty at all wouldn’t deter a failure to report, so the higher civil penalty plus potential imprisonment best fits the regulation’s intent to enforce accountability in radiological or nuclear emergencies.