Coast Guard conducts rescue training

Updated: Tuesday, 05 Mar 2013, 6:05 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 05 Mar 2013, 10:33 AM EST

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - The Coast Guard and the Virginia Port Authority conducted a first responders training session in Hampton Tuesday.

“The Search and Resue Forum provides valuable training and networking between responders and the local maritime community, increasing coordination, cooperation and the safety of first responders,” Bill Burkett, director of the Maritime Incident Response Team of the Virginia Port Authority said.

The session was subsidized in part by federal grants. The director of the Virginia Port Authority's maritime Incident Response Team said the symposium is funded through 2013.

Photos: CG conducts rescue training

"I'm confident that we will still conduct this training in some form or fashion but certainly not to the level where we are now without the grants to help support us," Burkett said.

Lt. Jim Forbes with the Hampton Police Marine Division and said local governments will have to decide what's important when investing into training for police, fire and rescue.

"I would suggest that it is a priority," Forbes said. "You take the city of Hampton in itself. We actually have twice as much water as we do land."

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