Northeast Florida agencies conduct full-scale training exercise at JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
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- Northeast Florida agencies conduct full-scale training exercise at JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
The exercise was the region’s largest since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Emergency responders and law enforcement agencies from throughout Northeast Florida recently participated in a full-scale training exercise held at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.
The exercise included more than 250 participants and was the largest of its kind held in the region since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Participants conducted a mock mass casualty incident involving simulated active shooters and explosives. The goal of the exercise was to practice emergency responses from local, state, and federal agencies, examine best practices, and increase interoperability operations between the public and private sectors within the maritime industry.
The exercise was funded by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant Program.
“Training exercises like this one play a vital role in our emergency preparedness efforts,” said JAXPORT Chief Executive Officer Eric Green. “We are grateful to our federal, state, and local partners for providing this training and for the dedication of the first responders who work hard every day to keep us safe. Close collaboration with our partner agencies is an invaluable part of what we do to ensure the safety and security of all of our port facilities.”
The six-hour exercise was conducted by the Northeast Florida Regional Council and sponsored by JSO. Additional participants included the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), JAXPORT, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Area Port of Jacksonville, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Jacksonville, FBI Jacksonville’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and the Northeast Florida Fusion Center.
Mayo Clinic in Florida’s simulation center provided medical actors with realistic, mock injuries for first responders to treat throughout the drill.
Organizers followed COVID-19 precautions including using vaccinated volunteers and practicing social distancing when inside.