Wayne County Life

   SODUS (JUN 9 11) – At least 10 emergency-response groups will participate in a special marine training drill on Sodus Bay on Saturday, June 18.

   Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts announced today that the drill will involve his office’s Marine Unit, the Wayne County 911 Center, the U.S. Coast Guard at Sodus Point, and fire departments and ambulance corps from Sodus Point, Sodus, Pultneyville, Alton, North Rose, Red Creek, and Wolcott.

   The training drill will simulate a collision between a jet ski and a pontoon boat. The jet ski will have two occupants, with several people on the boat. The drill will include a simulated fire on the boat, and personal injuries varying from minor to life-threatening.   

   Virts said the multi-agency marine training partnership started in May 2010 and its program includes cover-response protocol, vessel familiarization, tabletop exercises and training incidents for the emergency services providers and law enforcement officers who would respond to incidents on Sodus Bay, Port Bay and Lake Ontario.   

   “This simulated marine collision will test the readiness of law enforcement, marine units, ambulance services and fire departments for an on-water emergency incident,” Virts said. “I am confident our protocol reviews, familiarization of equipment and tabletop exercises have prepared all first responders for this simulated marine collision, fire, and related injuries.”