U.S. Coast Guard undergoing drills in Chattanooga

Drill involves joint training with local officials

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a week long-scale drill this week on the Tennessee River

The maritime drill involves joint training with local law enforcement and fire rescue personnel.

Lindsey Rogers of the Chattanooga Fire Department says operations, so far, have been successful.

“What it simulated was a passenger vessel, almost like a riverboat, that started taking on water,” Rogers said. “So you have a lot of passengers on board. All of that experience and going through these motions and the different procedures [are] tremendous for when there is, God forbid, a mass casualty or a large-scale incident.”

Rogers says there’s no room for complacency in local rescue operations and appreciates the time and efforts of the Coast Guard.