HAMPTON, Va. — Some of the best search-and-rescue teams from across Virginia and North Carolina are in Hampton right now, learning new skills.
The 14th annual Steven Todd Dooley Search and Rescue Forum is happening this week. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Virginia's maritime team, and about 40 law enforcement agencies and fire departments are there, discussing search strategies for finding missing people, water rescues, and more.
"Between state federal and local agencies, there needs to be a certain amount of cohesiveness and collaboration in order to meet the needs for search and rescue, maritime safety and maritime security and this form is definitely the best form which could be reproduced nationwide," said Capt. Kevin Carroll, USCG Commander Sector Virginia.
"It's mainly focused on all hazards," said Bill Berket, the director of the Maritime Incident Response Team. "Anything the Coast Guard needs us to do to help us support their mission, that's what we -- what I mean, we are the governmental agencies; all the local police and fire departments and EMS departments we are here to support them."
The forum will include a water training exercise on Thursday night, so don't be surprised if you see a lot of emergency boats in the Chesapeake Bay.