Coast Guard, local government agencies participate in mass maritime rescue operation

[The Patriot]

Coast Guard crewmembers and local government agency personnel pose for a group photo after completing a table-top exercise in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Sept. 16, 2015. The purpose of the table-top exercise is to provide participants an opportunity to discuss needed plans, policies, and procedures that outline the concepts for a response to a mass maritime rescue operation in the waters of Long Island Sound. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons)

OLD LYME, Conn. -- Coast Guard crewmembers and local government agency personnel participate in a table-top exercise in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Wednesday.

The purpose of the table-top exercise is to provide participants an opportunity to discuss needed plans, policies, and procedures that outline the concepts for a response to a mass maritime rescue operation in the waters of Long Island Sound.

“We appreciate the support of the federal, state, and local agencies that came out to participate in today’s maritime mass rescue operations table-top exercise,” said Capt. Edward Cubanski, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “ Table-top exercises like this are used to establish the framework on how the Coast Guard and other local agencies can work together to approach a mass maritime rescue. It is an invaluable resource to be able to test theories and challenge ideas on how to solve a mass maritime rescue, before actual lives are put on the line during a real event. At the end of the day its about saving lives and mitigating risk and injury to people in the maritime community.”

Agencies in attendance included:- Coast Guard 1st District- Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound- Coast Guars Station New Haven- Coast Guard Station New London- Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 25- Department of Homeland Security / Plum Island- Old Saybrook Police Department- New London Fire Department- Essex Fire Department- West Brook Fire Department- Old Lyme Emergency Medical Services- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- American Red Cross- Connecticut State Police- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection- Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection- Connecticut State Environment Conservation Police Department- Connecticut Incident Management Team 4- Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security


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