MEMPHIS, Tenn. -The Coast Guard, partnered with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as many of the key port players, exercised risk management strategies today aimed at protecting the city and the Port of Memphis.  The exercise was led by the DHS Protective Security Advisor for the Memphis District, Mr. Greg Innis.

The exercise participants included representatives from Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, Tennessee and Shelby County Emergency Management Agencies, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Attorney's Office, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Port Commission, Railroad Police and many local facility security officers.  The group conducted a table-top exercise to assess the area's ability to rapidly increase security measures within the Port of Memphis.

Mr. Don McCrory, Chairman of the Memphis Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), said, "After today, I believe we all feel more confident in the actions we will take in response to a security threat in the Port of Memphis.  I'm proud of the work we have done and the level of effectiveness we have reached."

The Coast Guard fulfills its role as Federal Maritime Security Coordinator by overseeing the implementation of the Area Maritime Security Plans.  The responsibilities of the AMSC cover the entire spectrum of security activities: awareness, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.  The dynamic interactions of the members produce tremendous dividends in the form of expedient communications, coordinated prevention, greater preparedness and more effective response and recovery.  

The AMSC is specifically required to ensure that a risk-based assessment is performed.  The resulting Security Plan is part of a family of plans under the overarching National Maritime Transportation Security Plan and aligns with national strategy documents such as the National Strategy for Homeland Security and the National Strategy for Maritime Security. 

Maritime Security, Aids to Navigation, Search and Rescue Coordination and all other Coast Guard missions in the Memphis area are handled by Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River located on Auction Ave.  The Sector's full area of responsibility includes the Lower Mississippi River, from the northwest Tennessee to central Louisiana, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, along with the Red, Black, White, Ouachita and Yazoo Rivers.

For all questions regarding today's exercise or Port Security initiatives on the Western Rivers, please contact Public Affairs at (901) 521-4845.

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