Chesterfield Fire and EMS prepares for simulated bridge rescue

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- It's not an emergency! Officials are looking to spread the word about a Chesterfield County Fire and EMS training exercise that will be taking place on Pocahontas Parkway later this week.

Beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 24, and ending on Friday, Sept. 26, the department will hold exercises on the Pocahontas Parkway bridge over I-95, according to officials with Pocahontas Parkway Operations.

The training will specifically simulate a trapped motorist emergency, based on an incident that occurred in 2023 when a tractor-trailer went over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel -- despite a multi-agency search and rescue attempt, the driver was found dead in the cab of the truck.

As part of this week's training, personnel will be rappelling from the bridge in a simulated rescue operation for a trapped motorist below.

“We understand that motorists may be alarmed seeing people rappelling down the side of Route 895, but this training is critical in ensuring fire and EMS are ready for anything,” said Pocahontas Parkway Maintenance Manager Mark Huffman.

During the exercise, the eastbound shoulder will be closed and message boards will be positioned to alert drivers to the training.