Energy Resilience Readiness Exercises (ERRE) and Black Start Exercise (BSE): What You Need to Know
Energy resilience is essential to Joint Base Lewis-McChord's mission and the well-being of our community. Our efforts focus on ensuring the installation can maintain critical operations during emergencies while empowering service members, families and staff to be prepared for power outages and other challenges. This page provides key information about our Energy Resilience Readiness Exercises (ERRE) and Black Start Exercise (BSE) preparation tips, and resources to help you stay informed and resilient.
JBLM conducted ERREs from January to June 2025. These smaller scope, scale and duration exercises only impacted certain areas of the installation and only the Broadmoor housing area.
During the BSE in July, a no-notice power outage will occur, affecting all areas -- including all housing on the installation -- for at least one hour. Extended outages may occur.
Dates/Locations
- Black Start Exercise: No-notice in July; dates will not be announced
Completed ERRE:
- January 16, 2025 / Lewis Historical (Broadmoor housing was impacted)
- March 19, 2025 / McChord (no housing areas were impacted)
- April 16, 2025 / Banana Belt (no housing areas were impacted)
- May 14, 2025 / Log Center (no housing areas were impacted)
- June 12, 2025 / Lewis North (no housing areas were impacted)
Why Energy Resilience Matters
- Strengthening Operations: Energy resilience ensures JBLM can continue critical operations during prolonged outages or emergencies.
- Enhancing Preparedness: Testing our systems and preparing the community ensures that JBLM is ready for any challenge.
- Protecting Our Community: By building energy resilience, we reduce vulnerabilities and improve our ability to respond to natural disasters, infrastructure issues or external threats.
How to Prepare for Power Outages
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
- Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
- Create or Update Your Emergency Kit: Stock essential items like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable food and first-aid supplies. For help, visit https://www.ready.gov.
- Register for JBLM ALERT! Notifications: Get real-time updates before, during and after power outages.
- Charge Devices: Ensure phones, laptops and other essential devices are fully charged before the exercise.
- Review Power Outage Safety Tips: Learn how to stay safe and reduce risks during a power outage.
- Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank. Have flashlights for every household member. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long its battery backup will last.
Know Your Medical Needs
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medications can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Using Appliances During Power Outages
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home. Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment and electronics. Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage.
Food Storage
Have enough nonperishable food and water. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
What to Expect
During the Black Start Exercise in July, a no-notice power outage will occur, affecting all areas -- including all housing on the installation -- for at least one hour. Extended outages may occur.
Stay Informed
Related Resources
- Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Sign Up for JBLM ALERT! Notifications
- JBLM PAO: 520-717-8223 or email
- DES: 253-967-7112
- Liberty Military Housing: 1-888-578-4141
ERRE News around the Army
Frequently Asked Questions
You may have specific questions about the Energy Resilience Readiness Exercises and Black Start Exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Here are several frequently asked questions we hope will provide the answers you need.
General Questions
Q: Why do these exercises require a power outage?
A: These outages simulate real-world scenarios, helping us test and improve JBLM’s emergency readiness.
Q: How long will the outages last?
A: The Black Start Exercise will last a minimum of eight hours for many facilities. Select areas, such as most housing, will likely have power restored sooner, but residents should expect a minimum of a one-hour power outage. Be aware that extended outages may occur.
Q: What should I do if my power is still out after the exercise?
A: Contact:
- DES: 253-967-7112
- DPW: 253-967-3131
- Liberty Military Housing: 1-888-578-4141
Emergency Service and Installation Access
Q: Will 911 services be impacted?
A: 911 services will not be impacted. There will be no degradation or change to response of emergency services to include police, fire and EMS.
Q: Will traffic lights be working?
A: Some traffic lights will be affected. Please treat all intersections as four-way stops if traffic lights aren’t working.
Housing and Facility Concerns
Q: Who is going to pay for my spoiled food?
A: If you keep refrigerators/freezers closed you should not experience spoilage. However, check with your renter’s insurance for policy coverage as neither Liberty Military Housing nor Housing Services will provide reimbursement for spoiled food, given the advance notice. Contact the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate with additional questions.
Q: Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of damage to my personal property?
A: Just as in the case of power outages due to a storm or other incident, there is slight risk to sensitive electronic devices when power is reestablished. We recommend unplugging sensitive electronic devices and plugging them back in only after power is restored.
Q: What other Liberty Military Housing services will be affected?
A: July’s Black Start Exercise will affect all Liberty Military Housing offices, so office phone lines may be down and emails may be delayed. For maintenance emergencies, contact Liberty At Your Service at 1-888-578-4141.
Q: What number do I call for maintenance issues in my residence during the power outage?
A: Residents can submit maintenance requests through the Liberty At Your Service app. For maintenance emergencies, contact Liberty At Your Service at 1-888-578-4141.
Q: I keep calling the DPW help desk and the line is busy; what can I do?
A: They may be experiencing a large volume of calls. Please be patient, try again and the next available operator will take your call.
Q: Are we going to lose access to water?
A: No. We do not anticipate losing access to water. Please report water losses to Liberty Military Housing at 1-888-578-4141 or DPW at 253-967-3131.
Communications
Q: Will phone lines work during the power outage?
A: We do anticipate July's BSE impacting installation-wide communications, to include official government and personal landlines. Cell phone towers may also be affected. If it requires power and does not have a back-up power system, it will not work.
Q: Will cellphones work?
A: Yes. Cell towers on the installation are on back-up power. However, service may be degraded.
Q: Will home internet (commercial) be affected?
A: Possibly.
Exceptional Family Member Program
Q: What do I do if I have concerns about a family member who has medical equipment in quarters that could be affected by a power outage?
A: EFMP Family Support can assist with contacting providers and home health agencies. Please reach out to them at 253-967-5797 or usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.afcs-efmp-support-services@army.mil with questions.
Personnel Services
Q: Will PCS moves still occur?
A: Yes, although parts of the process may be delayed while the power is out.
MWR Facilities
Q: Will CDCs/CYS facilities be open?
A: All CYS facilities will open as scheduled during the BSE. If the outage exceeds 2-3 hours, adjustment in care at CDCs and SACs will adhere to set protocols to include child pick-up. These decisions will be made based on several factors. Feel free to discuss any concerns with your local CYS staff team.
Q: Which MWR facilities will be impacted during the BSE in July?
A: DFMWR facilities will temporarily curtail all services that require electricity during the outage. Closing facilities to include eateries will be done for the safety of the patrons and staff members.
Dining Facilities
Q: Will dining facilities be open?
A: Yes, but they may have alternate feeding plans. Inquire with your unit's chain of command for additional details.
AAFES
Q: Will the Lewis Exchange and McChord Field Exchange remain open?
A: The July BSE power outage will affect both Exchanges. They will be closed until power is restored. Know before you go -- please call for status updates. Visit https://www.shopmyexchange.com/ for contact information.
Q: Will gas stations be open?
A: The July BSE power outage will affect all AAFES gas stations. They will be closed until power is restored. Know before you go -- please call for status updates. Visit https://www.shopmyexchange.com/ for contact information.
Q: Which Express Shoppettes/Food Courts will be open?
A: The July BSE power outage will affect all Express shoppettes and food courts. They will be closed until power is restored. Know before you go -- please call for status updates. Visit https://www.shopmyexchange.com/ for contact information.
Commissaries
Q: Are the Lewis Main Commissary and McChord Field Commissary going to be open?
A: The power outage will affect both commissaries. They will be closed until power is restored. Know before you go -- please call for status updates.
- Lewis Main Commissary: 253-212-4087
- McChord Field Commissary 253-212-4105.
Other FAQs
Q: Can my guests and I still get on/off base during the power outage?
A: Yes. The Installation Access Control Points are on generators and guards can visually inspect DOD IDs if necessary. Possible delays may occur for processing visitor requests.
Q: Will financial institutions be open?
A: Bank hours may vary due to the power outage. Know before you go and call to be sure:
- ACU: 866-968-7128
- Armed Forces Bank: 888-929-2265
- Navy Federal Credit Union: 1-888-842-6328
- Harborstone Credit Union: 1-800-523-3641
Q: Will this exercise impact deploying/redeploying service members?
A: No. Deployment and redeployment activities will not be impacted during the exercise.
Q: Will this affect on- or off-base schools?
A: No. Schools will not be affected.
Q: Will the post offices on Lewis Main and McChord Field be open?
A: Postal operations will continue as normal.