Contributed photoGrant County Emergency Management Coordinator Ted Williams participates in a statewide simulated emergency test April 14.

Local radio operators are preparing for the worst.

On April 14, 12 Grant County FCC-licensed amateur radio operators took part in a statewide simulated emergency based on a scenario where the Pacific Northwest electricity gird was shut down by the hacking of a foreign state. Participants in the exercise had to run on battery or generator power during the four-hour exercise. Messages were exchanged throughout the state.

During the exercise, portable stations were established in several locations in Grant County. The primary station was set up in the parking lot in front of the office of the Grant County emergency manager. Other portable stations were established on Starr Ridge, a generator powered station on Bumpy Road, a mobile station at the Blue Mountain Hospital and the airport, and fixed stations operated from Mt. Vernon, Canyon City and John Day. Voice check-ins were established with 82 stations throughout Oregon including a Net Control Station operating at a state level on behalf of the Office of Emergency Management in Salem.

Digital messages were sent via radio to OEM and to the ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) Emergency Coordinators in neighboring counties.

The radio footprint of Grant County was noticed and commented on both by Arnold Sias of the Net Control Station and by John Cores of the Oregon ARES section manager. On a local level, Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Ted Williams said he was pleased because objectives were met.