Port alert to residents—May 5 Homeland Security event is an exercise, not real event

Public Notice
The Board of Harbor Commissioners wished to inform Bay View residents that a large-scale exercise will be conducted by Homeland Security May 5. The port wants to inform its neighbors that the event is only an exercise so that the public will not panic or fear that a real terror event is underway.

The May 5 Event
The Port of Milwaukee will be the scene of an exercise organized by Homeland Security to play out the events should a real incident happen. More than 600 personnel and over 100 boats and response vehicles will be on the scene.

This exercise will help prepare emergency crews, military personnel and others in responding to such an unthinkable event.

On May 5, 2009 from 8am to 3pm the Port’s Terminal 1 area (Lake Michigan side docks) will have members of the WI Dept. of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Decon Unit, the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Port staff reacting as if a real terrorist attack has taken place. The event is expected to be well covered by the media.

The Hoan Bridge will NOT be shut down during this event. Access into Jones Island may be limited to emergency responders only during this time.

More information about the May 5 event will be published on bayviewcompass.com when that info is made available.

For more information, contact
Betty Nowak
Port of Milwaukee
414-286-8131
bnowak@milwaukee.gov

Copyright 2011 by Bay View Compass. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.