The 1,132-acre St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant site consists of two nuclear units located on Hutchinson Island on SR A1A between Stuart and Fort Pierce. Northern Martin County and Hutchinson Island are in an Emergency Planning Area (EPA) for the plant, however the majority of the designated areas are located in St. Lucie County.

Part of the responsibility of the Martin County Emergency Management Agency is to plan and prepare for a nuclear incident that could affect Martin County residents.

Martin County’s Emergency Management Agency works closely with numerous federal, state and local agencies to ensure the safety of Martin County residents in the unlikely event of a radiological emergency. Martin County’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan is reviewed annually to ensure it is up to date, comprehensive and meets all applicable guidelines mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Training and exercises are vital tools in preparing for a radiological event at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant and validating the county’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan. Martin County trains throughout the year and organizes and participates in regular exercises in partnership with Florida Power & Light and federal, state and local agencies to prepare for a radiological emergency. First responders are also trained in basic radiological emergency protocols and procedures so they may respond properly to an incident.

St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant warning sirens are positioned strategically throughout St. Lucie County and in northern Martin County and Hutchinson Island to quickly provide notification to residents in the event of a radiological emergency at the plant. The sirens are designed to alert residents in designated Emergency Planning Areas when they are outside of their homes or businesses. Emergency Management officials will also send out notifications through Alert Martin, social media and local news outlets.

The siren system is regularly tested to improve public awareness of its function and ensure its operability. Sirens are tested on the first Thursday of March, June, September and December. Before and after the sirens sound, a test message will be broadcast. Testing is done on all 91 sirens throughout Martin and St. Lucie counties at the same time.

If an actual emergency occurred at the plant, the sirens would sound for at least five minutes and official instructions or information would follow on local radio and television. Maintenance of each individual siren is also performed periodically and residents will be notified in advance of the testing.