Thousands to Swarm Newport Beach in Massive Maritime Disaster Drill

Thousands of police and firefighters will converge on Newport Beach Wednesday in the biggest disaster drill Orange County has seen in decades.

More than 2,000 public safety officers and volunteers will take part in a full-scale simulated maritime disaster exercise Corona del Mar State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, and the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol facility located on Bayside Drive.

“It’s been two decades since a full-scale, maritime disaster drill of this magnitude has been held in Orange County,” explained Assistant Chief Rob Williams of the Newport Beach Fire Department. “Public agencies plan for emergencies and continually test those plans, but it’s important that we also periodically test our coordinated response. We do that at the county level every several years, but we appreciate the opportunity to work with our partners at the federal and state level as well, and are grateful that Orange County was selected as a UASI grant recipient.”

The drill, which will simulate a boat accident, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and members of the public are encouraged to watch. According to City Hall, Corona del Mar State Beach is the best place to watch as most of the activity will take place there.

If you live in the area, expect to see a police and fire vehicles as well as beach closures in the area of the drill.

Participating agencies include:

• United States Coast Guard
• Anaheim / Santa Ana Urban Areas Security Initiative
• State of California Department of Parks and Recreation
• State Park Lifeguards
• City of Anaheim - Fire Department
• City of Costa Mesa - Fire Department
• City of Huntington Beach - Fire Department
• City of Fountain Valley - Fire Department
• City of Fullerton - Fire Department
• City of Garden Grove - Fire Department
• City of Laguna Beach - Fire Department
• City of Newport Beach - Fire Department and Marine Operations Division
• City of Newport Beach Police Department
• City of Orange - Fire Department
• City of Laguna Beach - Marine Safety
• MetroNet Dispatch
• OC Lifeguards
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department
• Orange County Fire Authority
• City of San Clemente - Marine Safety
• City of Seal Beach - Marine Safety & Lifeguards
• City of Newport Beach CERT volunteers
• Newport Landing Sportfishing

Photo: Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol