If you live near The Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Red Wing, you might notice something is going on this week.
A simulated nuclear incident exercise will bring with it scores of state and local public safety personnel for a multi-day readiness drill through Wednesday. Minnesota DPS said people in the area should not be alarmed by emergency responders carrying out duties during the exercise.
Deputy Director of Homeland Security Emergency Management Kevin Reed says locals should expect to see more police cars, fire trucks, and medical response teams operating in the area.
"We also have to coordinate with the state of Wisconsin, and Pierce County because they are within this, what we call a 10-mile planning zone around the Prairie Island nuclear community," Reed explains. "And also we have to invite in our Native American partners."
Reed says exercises like this one will happen every other years, and that people living near the plant may notice there is a lot going on.
"They may see local fire department presence. That's part of the exercise," Reed says. "They may, if they actually end up going to the hospital at Saint Elizabeth, they may see some exercise going on there and how we would take care of patients."
Dozens of local, state, tribal, and federal entities including the Department of Public Safety, FEMA, and plant operators are dedicating resources to public safety messaging and field responses at the plant.
Reed says the exercise will be reviewed to determine whether adjustments are needed once the multi-day evaluation is over.
