Multi-agency Search and Rescue Exercise to Test Emergency Response in Rock and Green Counties
The Wisconsin Air Coordination Group, in partnership with Rock County Emergency
Management, will conduct a comprehensive search and rescue exercise, ACG SARX 25, to test
coordinated emergency response capabilities across Rock and Green Counties Aug. 22-23.
Exercise Scenario
ACG SARX 25 simulates the impact of severe weather causing widespread damage across both counties.
The exercise includes:
- Disaster imagery flights in response to storm damage
- Multi-person search and rescue operations using air and ground assets
- Water rescue response to a boating accident on Lake Koshkonong with a capsized vessel and
victims in the water - Technology-enhanced operations, including personal locator beacon activations and drone-
based search capabilities - Complex terrain navigation to locate and extract survivors
Participating Agencies
Approximately 12 agencies will participate, including:
Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin State Patrol,
Wisconsin Army National Guard, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Rock County Emergency
Management, Green County Search and Rescue, Southwest Wisconsin Incident Management Team,
Salvation Army, and additional public safety agencies.
Public Notice
This is a training exercise only – no actual emergency is occurring. During the exercise, residents may
observe increased emergency vehicle activity, aircraft operations, and personnel deployment. Boaters
may see an increase in rescue agency watercraft and a helicopter on or near Lake Koshkonong – please
give those training a safe distance. Real emergency services remain fully operational.
Citizens should:
- Refrain from using drones in the exercise area to allow public safety agencies to train safely
- Recognize increased emergency activity as training
- Continue to call 911 for actual emergencies
- Monitor local emergency management communications for updates
“This exercise ensures our multi-agency response capabilities are ready to protect our communities when real disasters strike,” said Rock County Emergency Management Director Kevin Wernet.
About the exercise: ACG SARX 25 is sponsored by the Wisconsin Air Coordination Group with no federal
grant funding utilized. The exercise follows Wisconsin Emergency Management Homeland Security
Exercise and Evaluation Program guidelines.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Rock County Emergency Management. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
