Abingdon Fire and Rescue hosted an aquatic search and rescue training event in the York River, launching from Machicomoco State Park on Friday Sept. 24. Joining AFVR were representatives of several neighboring departments and response teams from other localities.

The joining rescue teams were from Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Gloucester Sheriff’s Office, Henrico PD, James City Fire and PD, Mathews Emergency Management, Newport News Fire, York County Fire, Suffolk Fire, Coast Guard, Virginia Marine Resource Commission, Camp Peary, state Department of Wildlife Resources, park rangers and Port of Virginia’s Maritime Incident Response Team.

Major planning for the event came from Jay Parlett, Special Operations Captain for AVFR. This was the second SAR training he had organized for the department, which was three months in the planning.

The training scenario involved two jon boats colliding. Parlett said multiple props for the responders on the water to locate. Some were ...