ComEd Uses Tabletop Exercises to Prepare Disaster Response Plans
In 2023, ComEd initiated Operation Power Play, a statewide event uniting public and private agencies to coordinate responses to simulated disasters. The event featured exercises to test preparedness for catastrophic scenarios. One key aspect was the substation exercise, developed in response to threats targeting grid infrastructure. The Chicago Substation Tabletop Exercise brought ComEd together with Chicago Police, Chicago Fire, and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications to coordinate responses to active threats or substation damage. This effort garnered attention from utilities nationwide and earned ComEd Chartwell’s Gold Best Practices Award in Emergency Management this year.
Speaker: Christian Jurcich, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, ComEd
Christian joined ComEd Emergency Preparedness in May of 2022 subsequent to 26 years of service as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. Prior to retirement, Christian held a leadership role with Emergency Management Planning for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, WI, which was designated as a National Special Security Event. In his current role, Christian develops plans to mitigate emerging threats to ComEd infrastructure during high visibility special events such as the 2024 Democratic National Convention, partners with law enforcement leadership to coordinate safe and efficient responses to substation incidents, develops crisis management plans in the aftermath of a workplace violence incident and network intrusions affecting operations.
