On May 14, 17 emergency response agencies will be exercising rescue missions and security response on the waters of Chambers Bay, between Steilacoom and University Place. The exercise is set to begin at 7:45 am near the Pierce County wastewater treatment plant off Chambers Creek Dr. W., with the actual drills beginning around 9:45 am. The goal is to evaluate both individual agency capabilities and their ability to effectively communicate and work together.

This exercise series, designed to last approximately eight hours, includes actual demonstrations of rescue swimmers hoisting victims into a helicopter. Responders have the opportunity to practice their skills using personal water craft and boats in rescues, as well as practice response to a vessel fire simulation. A subsurface dive rescue team is also included as responders for the first time this year. Marine units will train using different vessels simultaneously during the water rescues.

Participating agencies include Anderson Island Fire Department, Browns Point/Dash Point Fire Department, Gig Harbor Fire Department, Gig Harbor Police Department, Graham Fire & Rescue, Key Peninsula Fire Department, Lakewood Fire Communications, Lakewood Fire Department, McNeil Island Fire Department/Washington State Department of Corrections, Pierce County Emergency Management, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Puyallup Tribal Police Department, South King Fire & Rescue, Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma Police Department, United States Coast Guard, and the University Place Fire Department.