City highlights regional cybersecurity exercise, schedules evacuation drill and a safety fair

City staff used Friday’s briefing to highlight recent and upcoming preparedness activities, saying a regional cybersecurity tabletop exercise and a community evacuation drill are intended to strengthen coordination among local governments, utilities and emergency responders.

Brandon, the city’s acting city administrator, said IT manager Joel Staker hosted a regional cybersecurity tabletop exercise that focused on how local governments, utilities, hospitals and emergency services would coordinate during a major cyber incident; Brandon said the exercise drew 77 attendees and involved multiple agencies. A staff speaker added that roughly 37 different agencies took part in planning or participation.

Chief Todd Trey outlined logistics for a voluntary evacuation drill planned for the weekend and said residents in town might receive notifications on their phones prior to a 9:00 a.m. drill start. Officials described vehicle and pedestrian staging arrangements and reassured residents that staff and volunteers would assist participants.

Brandon invited residents to attend the safety fair at Devendorf Park after the drill, saying it will include informational booths and free hot dogs; he thanked Lesie Fenton for organizing the event.

Staff emphasized that the exercises and public outreach are part of ongoing preparedness efforts. Officials encouraged participation but said the drill is voluntary and that community members may still attend the safety fair even if they do not participate in the drill.