09/03/2026
This week, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Port of Virginia Authority, making our department the first out-of-state member of their Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT).
This partnership creates a two-way capability: we can bring our personnel, training, and marine resources to assist the Port of Virginia when needed, and we now have the ability to call upon their extensive MIRT resources, experience, and expertise when a major maritime incident occurs here in the Chesapeake Bay region.
As the first out-of-state member, this milestone reflects our commitment to regional leadership in maritime emergency response. This comes from continuous training, building strong inter-agency partnerships, and advancing our operational readiness.
Our members have dedicated extensive training hours and collaborated with local, state, federal, and port partners to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional incidents. Beyond strengthening Annapolis, our goal is to enhance preparedness across the entire Chesapeake Bay region. We are proud of our Marine Operations program and our firefighters' dedication to excellence.
