Warning To Commuters: Emergency Test On The Bay

Don't be alarmed if you see smoke near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge during your commute, or police and firefighters rushing to the scene. It's only a test.

Several public safety agencies from around the Bay Area are joining together Wednesday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., in an interagency emergency response exercise on the San Francisco Bay. Some of the participating agencies include the the Golden Gate Ferry division of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, the California Maritime Academy of Vallejo and local law enforcement, fire, and United States Coast Guard. The Martinez Police Department is not directly involved in the exercise.

The exercise will take place within a safety zone established by the United States Coast Guard just south of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Portions of the exercise may be visible from the bridge and adjacent areas in Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Alameda counties. A press release from the GGB District warns "the public could see emergency response vessels at the exercise scene as well as white smoke coming from the scene."  

"The June 12 exercise has been designed to test the tactical response to a security-related event occurring in multiple jurisdictions on the San Francisco Bay and concurrently on two ferry vessels," according to the press release.

The exercise scenario involves an accident onboard two ferries — a 715-passenger Golden Gate Ferry Spaulding vessel and a 500-passenger Alcatraz Cruises vessel — with massive casualties, fire and smoke.

According to the press release, "Interagency exercises strengthen agency partnerships, which is invaluable in maintaining a highly effective safety and security posture on the San Francisco Bay. Additionally, they play a vital role in advancing interagency emergency preparedness, coordination, familiarization, and response on the San Francisco Bay."