SAINT PAUL, Minn-- The Mississippi River near St. Paul was busier than usual Wednesday, where more than 40 government and law enforcement agencies held a mock disaster drill.
The daylong exercise was part of a maritime security plan put in place by the U.S. Coast Guard.
“The value of coming together like this is immeasurable,” Captain Scott Stoermer says.
The exercise included three different scenarios for responders, an oil spill, a hijacked ship and a bomb scare.
“The scenario is an improvised explosive device found underneath the hull of a vessel,” Stoermer explains. “We tested the dive capability for identification and ultimate removal of the explosive device.”
BNSF Railway was one of five railroad companies that also participated in the event.
Spokesperson Amy McBeth says the oil spill scenario featured a trail derailment, which is something BNSF and the other railroad companies train on several times a year.
However, she says it’s rare to have an opportunity like this to practice a response with dozens of government agencies.
“While incidents are unlikely and rare, we want to be prepared and know that if something happens it’s not the first time we’re meeting all of these different responding agencies,” McBeth explains.
The exercise also featured a communications center where various agencies learned the proper ways to inform the public of a disaster.
“We work with local media and government leaders during emergency incidents,” Stoermer says.
The Coast Guard's goal is to host exercises like this every five years.
Stoermer says it’s especially important to keep up to date with training in river cities like St. Paul where a threat is possible and the local body of water is such a crucial part of the community.
"It's vital to the economic support and position of the city. It's vital to recreation and it's just part of the community as a whole."