‘Dark Sky’ Prepares Wisconsin for a Grid-Down Situation
Here at 4Patriots, we preach preparedness more than any other message.
We’re usually talking to individuals like yourself. But occasionally we also see communities and local governments getting on board.
These days we are facing ongoing threats to our power grid, cyber security and public safety. It’s more important than ever to “practice what you preach.”
And the state of Wisconsin is doing that. State officials recently organized a training exercise based on a mass power-outage.
Preparing for a Long-Term Blackout
The Wisconsin National Guard conducted a full-scale training exercise in seven counties last week.
The three-day event was called “Dark Sky.” The purpose? To help communities prepare for a possible long-term mass power outage.
Utility companies, law enforcement and first responders were involved in the blackout simulation.
Here’s how an Outagamie County Emergency Management spokesperson explained it. “We’re trying to fill in those spots for the what if’s.”
Public Sees Increased Military Presence
While it may sound like a scary situation, the public was not affected by this exercise.
Residents saw an increase in military presence and more emergency personnel. But no electrical power was cut off from homes or businesses at the time.
More than 1,000 first responders, members of federal agencies, the Red Cross and many other agencies participated.
National Guard soldiers went door to door, asking citizens preparedness questions. They also left behind information. They did not enter homes nor collect any personal information.
Agencies Must Work Together
Seven Wisconsin counties were involved in the training exercise. They were Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Brown, Calumet, Dane and Outagamie.
The Alliant Energy facility in Fond du Lac County served as one of the National Guard training sites.
The event tested businesses that work directly with the public. Because they are the ones who would be impacted by critical infrastructure failures.
The exercise was also conducted to coordinate critical fuel distribution, cyber response, intelligence sharing and mass care shelters. Plus procedures for opening and operating the state’s Business Emergency Operations Center.
Preparation Is Key
How would county officials and organizations function without power for 30 days? How would hospitals, nursing homes or businesses operate? Rehearsals for these scenarios help companies and departments answer the questions.
Major General Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjunct general, said this about the experience:
“Our emergency management community must be prepared to deal with the myriad scenarios and challenges posed by a long-term mass power outage.
“And by training together, we continue building meaningful relationships that leave us better positioned to respond to a real-world situation.”
They considered various hypothetical scenarios. Including mass casualties due to hazardous material and natural gas emergencies.
Preparing at Home
For most of us, not having power for a few hours would not be too inconvenient. But if you’re looking at a few days, weeks or even longer, its considered a state of emergency.
Unfortunately, most of the other states in the US are not currently training to prep for a possible mass power outage.
And it’s no secret that our power grid is failing and vulnerable. Not only from storms and natural disaster, but also from terrorist and cyber-attacks.
Former CIA official Dr. Peter Pry says that attacks on just 9 of the nation’s 55,000 electrical substations could result in nationwide blackouts for up to 18 months.
It’s growing more and more obvious that it’s time to take steps to protect your family if you have not yet. A solar generator is the best option because it can power your home without any gas, fumes, or noise. And without risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
You can use it to run kitchen appliances. Charge your personal or medical devices. Or light up a room with an LED light string… for weeks at a time.
I have a Generac, run by propane. I cannot put in another generator. Will it work in the case of a power outage?
I’m part of the local Amatuer Radio Emergency Servies group. We are preparing for such scenarios. Like when when landlines, cell service, and the internet all go down. We have mobile generators, but good only as long as we have gasoline. In a long-term outage the gas pumps can’t pump gas. So only option is to drive outside of the affected area to buy gas. Which takes gas to get there. I stock gasoline and propane tanks on my property.
One of our members has solar. The rest of us run off of batteries–until they are dead. I own a dual-fuel generator which I figure can connect to natural gas with a little tuning. But what I read is, in a mass outing, household gas supplies could be gone, too.
I have food supplies-yours. I have a water supply, 3 miles from the Kenosha harbor on Lake Michigan. We have looked at your solar generators several times but simply can’t afford them. Even when on sale. Fixed income, social security, disability, all that crap. We struggle to make monthly credit card payments.
Our county was not part of Dark Skies. In a way I wish it had been. I feel our county is more prepared than most. At least in terms of communications. We have clearances to enter two mobile command centers. We practice weekly emergency nets, biweekly weather nets. We have just set up NBEMs; we pass traffic every Sunday morning. We’re not “there yet” but better than most.
Would you suggest ways to build or make emergency items that may be needed. I appreciate the sites to buy items, but all those retail things are way too expensive for low income families.