BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ)- Training exercises to simulate a mass power outage took place in Brown County Tuesday.
With everyone being largely dependant on electricity, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach says a massive long-term power outage requires a strong emergency response.
Operation Dark Sky is designed to test that response.
“The coordination, communication and the ability for us to respond are going to be the keys for us to be able to have a success if a major event is ever to take place.”
The three-day statewide exercise focuses on responding to a cyber threat to natural gas and electrical grid system that would cut out power.
Director of Emergency Management Jared Preston says their exercise had one big focus.
“Public safety is obviously number one. Keeping people safe and helping if people need medical treatment or medical transports.”
The scenario tested having no electricity, fuel or natural gas in the county for three or more weeks.
“We are the fourth largest county and third largest city in the state of Wisconsin, I think it is really important for us to prepare for the unknown,” said Streckenbach.
Preston says the scenario caused issues that many departments had to work through. Many of those had to deal with the emergency equipment itself.
“No fuel, and with no natural gas, if they don’t have a secondary backup system for their fuel, we have to figure out how we are going to get fuel to them if there is no fuel in the county.
Scenarios took place in multiple counties throughout Wisconsin. Operation Dark Sky runs through Thursday.
