Prague simulated a blackout, there were problems with water and legislation
Prague has completed the exercise of a total power outage. According to the crisis staff, it revealed several weaknesses, especially in the area of heat and water supply and legislation. As a result, however, the simulation of the so-called blackout allegedly showed that Prague is able to handle such a situation. Mayor Tomáš Hudeček (TOP 09) and security experts Andor Šandor and Jiří Šedivý told the press today. Prague will now analyze the findings for a month, and will start solving some problems immediately.
“I can say that I feel good about the exercise, and I believe that I will benefit Prague and it will be well prepared for a possible real blackout,” said Hudeček. Šedivý added that overall, Prague is able to handle the blackout.
Among the areas in which Prague would have the greatest difficulties, Šandor ranked water and heat supplies. The problem with water is how to distribute it, some tanks freeze in severe frosts. As a problem, he also stated that only the Na Františku hospital is subject to the mayor of Prague through the City Hall of Prague 1, as the rest are owned by the state. The problem would arise during a blackout in transport or in the field of education, when schools and kindergartens would be closed.
Legislation does not add much to blackout management
“It is important to change the way we think about the problem and the legislation that does not help the solution much,” said Šandor. During the day, Mayor Hudeček could not mention the need to change the Civil Service Act, which, given its current wording, would consistently penalize the ability of police officers to patrol the streets in sufficient numbers. Hudeček also complained about communication with mobile operators during training. The city does not know now if mobile phones would work during a real blackout. In addition, it was said to be a problem to agree on the supply of diesel to the units in the transmitters. The operators do not agree with Hudeček’s allegations, they allegedly faced a contradictory district of the municipality. He claims that the operation of backup power sources in the transmitters is ready.
The capital will analyze the results of the exercise month. According to the director of the municipal department of security and crisis management, Josef Juránek, Prague will begin to rectify some shortcomings almost immediately. Another will be discussed and resolved with the concerned institutions and city companies, and the conclusions will also be sent to the State Security Council. Another output of the exercise will be guidelines and information on blackout behavior for Praguers.
The preparation of the exercise took about four months. The city consulted, among other things, with energy experts and representatives of the components of the integrated rescue system. Representatives of the city and firefighters were then to look at the situation in Slovenia, which was recently affected by the blackout. He also consulted with Vienna City Hall on the preparation.