Local emergency teams practice terror drills

WTVG -- Federal, state, and local emergency teams joined forces along the Maumee to practice their terror drills

A terrorist attack can happen without warning and emergency crews have to be able to respond immediately. One possible target is Toledo's port. Federal, state, and local emergency teams joined forces along the Maumee to practice their terror drills.

Moving goods along the Maumee is a Toledo asset, but these waters can also be a channel for a terrorist attack. The possible threat is why a water-front hotel is a training-ground for the US Coast Guard and a room full of men and women.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Rick Minnich has spent the last six months coordinating the schedules of police officers, FBI agents, and border patrol officers for the day-long terror drill. These are the men and women who'd respond to a real-life attack on the water. "Having been involved in the exercises and real incidents, I can say they are very realistic. It is real time, real life type scenarios that we use," says Minnich.

The incidents are so real 13abc's cameras can only roll while they're preparing and before any sensitive security information is released. "I think it is very realistic. The only difference is we are not actually putting boats on the water, or sending people out. And going to do things," says Minich. The lessons learned are also real. "What resources are available. What we'd have to do to reopening a shipping channel if something occurred in the shipping channel that would stop vessel traffic." It's information to be discussed long after this one day ends and while Toledo's port is peaceful. The US Coast Guard's Marine Safety Unit organized today's 6-hour drill.

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