The Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) supported a sonar training for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD), and Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). Participants learned to operate the AquaEye platform, a handheld sonar device designed to enhance search operations in bodies of water. The training elevated aquatic rescue techniques and tactics while providing first responders throughout the Maryland-National Capital Region (MD-NCR) with an additional tool for water rescue and recovery operations.

The MD-NCR has several rivers, ponds, and other waterways. The largest, the Potomac River, is incredibly treacherous at certain locations. Three individuals have perished this summer in the Great Falls portion of the river, underscoring the need for first responders to be prepared for marine operations. Underwater searches can be an arduous and dangerous process, with submerged hazards, limited visibility, strong currents, and difficult water conditions.

Expediency is critical when reaching a drowning person or recovering a deceased individual. The AquaEye device is a handheld sonar system that can be submerged to scan an area and detect anomalies below the waterline. The platform displays sonar detections on the device’s screen to guide rescue efforts in a more methodical manner. For larger operations, multiple AquaEye devices can be connected through a mobile Command Hub application to provide leadership real-time search data imposed over a map of the location.

AquaEye Screen

The training included classroom instruction and hands-on portions in the Seneca Little Lake and Potomac River. Conducting exercises in two different bodies of water allowed participants to operate the equipment under varying conditions and gain practical experience using the technology in different environments. Participants not in the water used the Command Hub to understand how the platform interconnects with the devices to create a broader operational picture for departmental leadership.

Participants reported that the training improved their understanding and proficiency with both the AquaEye device and Command Hub platform. Integrating this technology into existing aquatic rescue capabilities will provide first responders with an additional resource for locating individuals underwater, support more efficient search operations, and enhance responder safety during challenging water rescue and recovery missions.

For the fourth consecutive year, members of the Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System’s (MDERS) Operational Support Directorate participated in HERoes on the HERizon, a summer camp developed by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. Since the camp’s inception, the program has provided teenage girls with a unique opportunity to explore the many career paths available throughout public safety and emergency management while meeting the women and men who serve communities across Maryland.

Throughout the camp, participants received a behind-the-scenes look at public safety careers and took part in hands-on activities designed to introduce them to different disciplines. Campers visited the United States Park Police horse stables, where they toured the facility, met the horses, and learned about the role of mounted officers. The group also toured the U.S. Department of the Interior, providing another perspective on careers in government and public service.

Several activities gave campers an opportunity to experience public safety skills firsthand. The Anne Arundle County Police Department conducted a K9 demonstration showcasing the capabilities of police working dogs and their handlers. Anne Arundel Community College provided a cybersecurity presentation and interactive activity, introducing participants to the growing role technology plays in protecting communities and critical systems. Campers also learned about unmanned aircraft and their applications through a drone presentation from the Civil Air Patrol.

The program also introduced participants to important emergency medical and response skills. Campers completed CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed training, giving them practical, lifesaving skills they can use well beyond the camp. A moulage class offered a different type of hands-on experience, allowing participants to learn how realistic injuries are created to support public safety training and exercises.

A highlight of the week was Prince George’s County Day, which provided an up-close look at several components of the county’s public safety system. The day included a tour of Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications, where participants learned about the critical role 9-1-1 professionals play during emergencies. Campers also received a special visit from MDERS Steering Committee member Deputy Director Meloyde Batten-Mickens of the Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, who spoke with the group about emergency management and opportunities within the field.

The group then visited the Prince George’s County Police Department Special Operations Division (SOD), where MDERS Steering Committee Chair Lt. Nicholas Fiore provided a tour of the facility alongside Sgt. Lindsay Wood. Campers also explored PGPD’s Mini City, a specialized training environment where officers practice responding to realistic incidents and scenarios.

The experience continued with a look at public safety aviation. Campers had the opportunity to see Guardian, PGPD’s helicopter and received a presentation on what it takes to become a pilot, introducing them to yet another career path within public safety.

HERoes on the HERizon is about more than touring facilities or learning new skills. Each experience gives young women an opportunity to see the breadth of public safety and, more importantly, to see themselves as part of it. By connecting campers directly with professionals and exposing them to careers in law enforcement, 9-1-1 communications, emergency management, cybersecurity, aviation, emergency medicine, and other specialized fields, the program continues to help inspire the next generation of women who may one day serve and lead Maryland’s public safety community.

Written by Elizabeth Adams