Coast Guard Integrated Support Command

Portsmouth Hosts Search and Rescue Forum The Coast Guard and the Virginia Marine Police are combining forces in southeast Virginia to sponsor a search and rescue forum from 8:30a.m.-3:00p.m. at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Portsmouth on Tuesday. The forum will include classroom search and rescue training, underway search and rescue techniques, rescue and survival equipment procedures and helicopter familiarity. More than 70 maritime search and rescue first responders will attend the forum. The search and rescue forum is aimed at building upon existing interagency cooperation by providing training and enhanced understanding between coastal and maritime search and rescue agencies. The Coast Guard and Virginia Marine Police are committed to promoting safe and effective search and rescue procedures for all municipal, state and federal public agencies. The forum will feature static displays featuring search and rescue boats from various local agencies and a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.