Residents of the Midwest may notice a large presence of emergency personnel responding to a simulated nuclear power plant explosion over the next week, but there is no cause for alarm. The U.S. and Canadian governments are conducting a joint exercise across multiple states to prepare for potential nuclear disasters, and as long as there is no visible sign of an actual emergency, such as a mushroom cloud, the public can rest assured that the situation is under control.

The Department of Energy issued a press release on Thursday announcing the launch of Cobalt Magnet 25, an exercise that will take place from March 14-21. The drill will involve approximately 3,000 participants from 70 local, state, provincial, and federal agencies in the U.S. and Canada, specifically in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario. The exercise simulates a nuclear power plant accident, allowing response teams to practice scanning for radiological materials and providing emergency services to the affected population, as well as restoring essential services.

Cobalt Magnet 25 has been in planning for 18 months and is designed to enable response teams to practice and refine their skills in a realistic scenario. The National Nuclear Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Energy, has informed the public about the exercise to prevent unnecessary panic. According to the press release, “During the exercise, members of the public may see response personnel in protective clothing using radiological monitoring and detection equipment, low-flying aircraft conducting data-gathering overflights, and groups of first responders and others staged at various locations. There will be no need for alarm. Cobalt Magnet 25 is part of a regular program of training, exercises, and planning for the partners to prepare in case of public health and safety emergency.”

Exercises like Cobalt Magnet 25 have their roots in the 1970s, when the U.S. experienced a series of nuclear extortion attempts, leading to the creation of the Nuclear Emergency Search Team, now known as the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST). These drills are essential for training response teams to handle the unthinkable, whether it’s an intentional terrorist act involving nuclear material or an accidental incident like those at Chernobyl or Three Mile Island in the 1970s and 80s.

“The Nuclear Emergency Support Team—or NEST—is trained to provide decision-makers with timely, actionable scientific advice during radiological incidents,” said Dr. Wendin Smith, Deputy Under Secretary for Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation at the Department of Energy.

The NEST team is constantly training for worst-case scenarios, and exercises like Cobalt Magnet 25 are crucial for validating their ability to respond quickly and effectively. “We exercise to validate our ability to quickly determine the extent and severity of radiological hazards, whether and how the public is affected, and enable the optimal response,” said Smith. “If such a scenario did take place, this would save lives and reduce public impacts. NEST’s core mission is providing this critical information to local, state, and federal leaders as soon as possible.”

However, the importance of NEST’s work seems to have been lost on President Donald Trump and his administration, which has taken steps that undermine the team’s effectiveness. Fortunately, the current exercise still includes participation from Canada, one of America’s closest allies, despite recent tensions and provocative rhetoric from the U.S. administration.

While the sight of nuclear specialists in the Midwest may cause concern, it is essential to remember that exercises like Cobalt Magnet 25 are vital for ensuring public safety. The continued participation of Canadian agencies is a positive sign, and it is crucial that this cooperation continues in the future to ensure the safety and security of both countries.

It is hoped that future exercises, such as Cobalt Magnet 26, will continue to include Canadian participation, as this collaboration is essential for maintaining the safety and security of both nations. If Canadian agencies are no longer involved, it would be a concerning sign of deteriorating relations and a potential decrease in safety and security for the region.