The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) Monday announced that it will be conducting maritime readiness training this week.
“If you see flashing lights and first responders at the Riverpark and on the Tennessee River on Tuesday (7/19/22), don’t be alarmed,” CFD said in a tweet on Monday. “It’s part of a big joint training event coordinated by the US Coast Guard & involving many different agencies, including the [Chattanooga Fire Department].”
If you see flashing lights and first responders at the Riverpark and on the Tennessee River on Tuesday (7/19/22), don’t be alarmed. It’s part of a big joint training event coordinated by the US Coast Guard & involving many different agencies, including the @ChattFireDept. pic.twitter.com/XaBOj9J8Yw
— Chattanooga Fire Department (@ChattFireDept) July 18, 2022
“In an effort to maintain maritime incident readiness, the Coast Guard, local, county & state agencies will conduct a large-scale drill involving a passenger vessel operated by Chattanooga Riverboat on the Tennessee River at the Riverpark boat ramp from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19,” CFD said.
Purpose of the drill is to enhance maritime incident response for both law enforcement & fire/rescue agency personnel who may respond to a maritime incident occurring along the TN River regional area. The drills include a wide range of boat tactics & emergency response procedures pic.twitter.com/Ukc7CX1BvK
— Chattanooga Fire Department (@ChattFireDept) July 18, 2022
“[The] purpose of the drill is to enhance maritime incident response for both law enforcement & fire/rescue agency personnel who may respond to a maritime incident occurring along the TN River regional area. The drills include a wide range of boat tactics & emergency response procedures,” according to CFD’s notice.
“Drills will involve multiple agency boats responding, displays of flashing lights and operations near a passenger vessel on the Tennessee River mile marker 469 near Highway 153 bridge,” according to a media advisory from the Coast Guard.
Other participants in the exercise include the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Marine Rescue, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Chattanooga Riverboat, Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, Hamilton County EMS, Hamilton County 911 and Erlanger Medical Center and Memorial Hospital.
“We appreciate the [Coast Guard’s] efforts to coordinate this with city, county and state agencies,” Lindsey Rogers, the CFD’s public information officer told The Tennessee Star. “The CFD and local agencies are constantly training for different incidents, including mass casualty events, to ensure the best emergency response. Exercises like this are important practice for first responders and also show the public that their emergency personnel are well-trained and prepared to handle any kind of threat, preserving life and property in the process.”
The Coast Guard did not return a comment request.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Local, State and Federal Agencies are Gearing Up for a Large-Scale Training Drill at the Tennessee Riverpark” by Chattanooga Fire Department.
