Coast Guard commends Hall Co. public safety personnel

GAINESVILLE - Hall County E-911, Fire Services, and Sheriff's Office have received a Meritorious Team Commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The agencies were cited for participation in a large-scale mass rescue exercise on Lake Lanier. This was the first exercise to include the Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Hall County Fire Services and Rescue Dive Team, Hall County Sheriff's Office and Marine Patrol, Hall County E-911, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Tow Boat U.S.

The exercise simulated two vessels colliding on the water and used manikins to represent the resulting casualties. Through the exercise, the agencies were able to identify their roles, responsibilities, and resource capabilities.

"The participation of all agencies significantly bolstered interagency relationships, improved unified command and control, notification procedures, and search and rescue capabilities on Lake Lanier," Coast Guard Rear Admiral W.D. Baumgartner said in a letter to Hall County on Aug. 9.

Baumgartner serves is Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District headquartered in Miami, Florida.