Date: May 21, 2008

Contact: Lt. K. Cabanting
(414) 349-5109

COAST GUARD SECTOR LAKE MICHIGAN TO CONDUCT INTERAGENCY PORT SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Federal, state, local, non-governmental and private sector organizations will conduct a full scale exercise at the Port of Green Bay on  May 21, 2008 to practice, assess and improve the Lake Michigan Area Maritime Security Plan as well as the Lake Michigan Area Contingency Plan.

The port security exercise builds on multiple interagency training workshops, planning sessions, and tabletop exercises held over the past year. Phase One, conducted 21-25 January, tested threat communications and intelligence information sharing among various agencies.  Phase Two, on 30 April, tested the implementation of a Unified Command structure and development of an Incident Action Plan.

Today's full scale exercise utilizes a multi-faceted security, hazardous materials, and terrorism scenario.  Multi-agency response teams will conduct vessel boardings, dive operations, hazardous materials response, and casualty evacuations. 

According to Coast Guard Captain Bruce Jones, the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator for Lake Michigan, "the exercise provides an invaluable opportunity to test interagency communications and coordination as well as joint response operations.  We will be able to assess the thoroughness of initial notification, information sharing and updating, and mobilization of appropriate resources to respond to threats." 

Captain Jones also said "a successful response to a serious man-made or natural disaster is a tremendous challenge, not least because of the sometimes conflicting, but equally important, requirements of safety, security, law enforcement, intelligence gathering, medical and investigatory organizations. Working together under a unified command structure, with open and transparent information sharing and goal-setting, provides the ability to most effectively deploy limited resources, quickly broker jurisdictional issues, and ensure the safety and security of the affected communities."

Agencies participating in the exercise include: USCG Sector Lake Michigan, USCG Marine Safety Detachment Sturgeon Bay, USCG Station Green Bay, USCG Station Sturgeon Bay, USCG Station Two Rivers, National Response Center, FBI, OSHA, CBP, EPA, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin National Guard Civil Support Team, Northeastern Regional Hazardous Materials Team, Northeastern Wisconsin Regional Dive Team, Brown County Sheriff, Brown County Emergency Management, Brown County Port Department, Green Bay Police Department, Green Bay Fire Department, Green Bay Regional Safety & Security Committee, Bellin Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Aurora Hospital, 9 MTSA Regulated Facilities, and the Salvation Army.

 Exercise observers, controllers and evaluators will be on scene throughout the exercise to document lessons learned.  The media is invited to attend the exercise at the Green Bay Metro Boat Launch. 

 For further information, contact the Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs Officer at (414) 349-5109 or Kristen Paquet with Brown County and Leonard & Finco Public Relations at (920) 965-7750.

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