Members of the Roanoke Valley Technical Rescue Team tested their skills and readiness at Smith Mountain Dam last month during an exercise hosted by Appalachian Power's Hydro employees who work at the Smith Mountain Project.
The team included members of the Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Salem rescue squads.
The event began with a site walkthrough to support planning for a regional technical rescue competition scheduled for spring 2027. Following the visit, members of the rescue team conducted an internal training exercise using the dam's facilities and terrain.
The rescue team later returned for a two-day, full-scale emergency response drill, successfully rescuing three victims during a simulated dam failure caused by a seismic event in the plant yard. The scenario required responders to assess hazards, coordinate resources and safely extricate victims from complex and highly unstable situations.
"The rescue squads scaled the dam, moved through the facility as if it had collapsed and even rescued a survivor from a tree," said Donnie Williams, plant manager for the Smith Mountain Project. "Watching them adapt to changing conditions and work together under pressure was impressive. The level of professionalism and teamwork on display showed exactly why these partnerships are so valuable."
As emergency response challenges continue to evolve, partnerships between APCo and local first responders remain an important part of keeping communities safe and ensuring organizations are prepared for a variety of emergency situations.
"It was a great learning experience for everyone involved," Williams said. "The exercise helped us identify new opportunities to strengthen safety at our facilities, and it gave our team and local responders a chance to better understand how we can support one another during an emergency. Those relationships and shared experiences can make a real difference when every second counts."
The regional technical rescue competition is scheduled to take place at Smith Mountain Dam in May 2027.