What's up in the sky on Monday? VRFA hosts Regional Aviation Exercise in Auburn

The Valley Regional Fire Authority hosts a Regional Aviation Exercise Orientation and Safety Training Session on Monday at Station 35, on the south end of the GSA Facility, 2905 C St. SW in Auburn.

The training begins at 8 a.m. and is expected to conclude at 5:30 p.m. The training involves many fire service and first-responder agencies who are working in conjunction with Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Air Branch Resources.

The training involves helicopters from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Navy, along with one fixed wing aircraft from the Washington State Patrol. Throughout the course of the day, helicopters will conduct takeoffs and landings as first-responders are trained in aircraft rescue safety, communication systems and air based operations. The training provides responders with critical information that they will utilize in a large-scale regional rescue exercise that is planned in the Green River Valley on Aug. 29.

Nearly a dozen agencies from the fire service, law enforcement and the military will be participating in the regional training event.

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