OPERATION HEAT SHIELD TRAINING RETURNS TO BROWARD COUNTY
PIO Number;
24 7 19
Date;
July 15, 2024
During times of public safety crises, first responders rely on their training to keep the community safe. Operation Heat Shield V is a collaborative effort involving various agencies such as law enforcement, fire rescue teams and hospitals. This initiative aims to enhance their skills in responding to emergencies by practicing coordinated efforts in rescue operations and communication.
Operation Heat Shield V has been meticulously planned for months and will be supervised by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Southeast Regional Domestic Security Task Force and Urban Area Security Initiative. The training exercise will take place at different locations across Broward County on Wednesday, July 17. The scenarios simulated during the training focus on intricate terrorist attacks happening simultaneously at multiple venues. This exercise brings together law enforcement and fire rescue teams from Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach counties along with several local hospitals.
Coordinated terrorist attacks are characterized by violent assaults or a series of attacks using various weapons to create mass casualties across different locations. Such incidents put significant pressure on the emergency response capabilities within a specific area.
Operation Heat Shield V will involve real life situations to test the effectiveness of unified command capabilities and strengthen partnerships within communities and regions spanning various disciplines and jurisdictions. The initial training drill on July 17 is scheduled to occur at Terminal 19 in Port Everglades, with additional scenarios set at different locations involving attacks requiring coordinated responses from SWAT teams in the area. Numerous individuals, including first responders, volunteers and representatives from 17 federal, state and local agencies and partners, will participate in the exercises to enhance their readiness to handle such incidents effectively.

Engagement in Operation Heat Shield V through partnerships guarantees that local first responders are adequately equipped to manage, respond to and recover from potential emergencies. This comprehensive exercise is slated to run from 4 p.m. On Wednesday, July 17 until 6 a.m. On Thursday, July 18. Residents should not be alarmed by the heightened presence of law enforcement personnel and resources in the area during this period.

Please note; A press briefing featuring Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and other local officials is scheduled for 3 p.m. On Wednesday, July 17 outside Terminal 19.
The opening scenario is set to begin around 4 p.m. A designated media area for the initial training session at Terminal 19 in Port Everglades has been arranged on the fifth floor of the parking garage located at 2019 Eller Dr., Fort Lauderdale. Media interested in attending should arrive by 2;30 p.m. Live trucks will not have access to the parking garage and news helicopters are kindly asked to avoid flying over the port during the exercises. All attendees must show valid identification to enter Port Everglades and please remember that weapons are not permitted on port premises.

Participating agencies include;
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Miami Dade Police Department
City of Miami Police Department
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
West Palm Beach Police Department
FBI
Homeland Security Investigations
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Southeast Florida Fusion Center
United States Coast Guard
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Broward area hospitals
Broward County Emergency Management Division

Reported by;
Carey Codd/Senior Public Information Officer