Massive Search and Rescue Exercise Set to Test Maryland Responders

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The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) has announced a large-scale Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in and around Gunpowder Falls State Park and the Loch Raven Dam Reservoir. This extensive training event, designed to simulate real-world emergency scenarios, will involve coordinated operations across air, land, and water, including underwater divers. The exercise aims to evaluate the skills, training, and endurance of emergency responders from across the state as they practice their response to complex incidents in a controlled environment.

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The SAREX will encompass a 20-square-mile area, with activities concentrated in Loch Raven Dam Reservoir, Big Gunpowder Falls, the Gunpowder River, Gunpowder Falls State Park, and Hart Miller Island. Residents and visitors in these vicinities should anticipate a heightened presence of emergency personnel, Maryland National Guard aircraft, official vehicles, law enforcement units, and rescue boats. For the days leading up to the exercise, props and simulated structures may be deployed within the designated area. While these items are designed to appear realistic, they will be clearly marked and should not be tampered with to ensure the safety of both the public and the responding teams.

During the exercise, which will run from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026, the public is advised to be aware that all visible activities are part of a drill. Some scenarios and responder actions might seem authentic. Members of the public are permitted to observe the training from a safe distance but are strictly prohibited from interfering with any operations. Recreational areas such as Gunpowder Falls State Park and the Loch Raven Dam will remain open, however, visitors are urged to exercise caution, particularly near Hammerman Beach and adjacent waterways where training will be most active. All participants and observers are required to follow directions from clearly identifiable exercise personnel wearing safety or exercise vests.

Furthermore, the MDEM strongly advises against flying drones in or near the exercise zone. Unauthorized drone activity presents a significant safety hazard and could potentially disrupt critical operations. The exercise is intended to provide a comprehensive and immersive training experience for state emergency responders, honing their collective ability to address multifaceted emergencies.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.

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