Objective A corresponding evaluation model on nuclear emergency response capability was set up, in order to prevent nuclear accidents and improve the nuclear accident emergency response capacities in all provinces across the country.

Methods An evaluation index system for the nuclear accident emergency response capability at provincial level was established by analyzing the developing stages of nuclear accident and current emergency management organization system for nuclear accident in China, based on the requirements of the National Nuclear Emergency Plan and the analysis results of the seven dimensions(organization, early warning, supply, response, rescue, recovery and assessment). On this basis, the Delphi method, the critical value method, the analytic hierarchy process, and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were combined to construct a nuclear accident emergency response capability evaluation model. Finally, this model was applied to evaluate the nuclear emergency response capability in a province.

Results The evaluation model consisted of 3 first-level indicators, 7 second-level indicators, and 32 third-level indicators. With this model the evaluation showed that score of a province's nuclear accident emergency response ability was 79.33 points, which was in the "qualified" level. "Operation status of nuclear accident early warning system" was the weakest point with 74.38 points in the "critical" level.

Conclusion This province should further focus on emergency plan and emergency drill system, emergency early warning system, environmental monitoring, nuclear medicine research, public communication and other aspects. The results show that the model has good applicability in the evaluation of nuclear accident emergency response capability and can be applied pertinently to improve the emergency response capability of this province.