Health, Safety & Environment

The Port of Virginia Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT)

Leading Maritime Incident Response at America’s Most Modern Gateway


The Port of Virginia’s Maritime Incident Response Team (POV MIRT) delivers rapid, on-scene maritime expertise during all-hazard maritime incidents. As a critical liaison to the U.S. Coast Guard, and state and local incident commanders, MIRT ensures coordinated, expert response during all-hazard incidents in the maritime environment. Through advanced training, strategic drills, and resource development, the team strengthens emergency capabilities across the region—protecting lives, infrastructure, and operations.

A Multi-Agency Force, Always Ready


POV MIRT operates as a highly specialized task force, backed by formal Memorandums of Understanding with over 20 municipalities and agencies and more than 200 active members from federal, state, and local law enforcement, fire service, and EMS.

These members stand ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to any hazardous maritime incident:
  • The City of Chesapeake
  • The City of Virginia Beach
  • The City of Norfolk
  • The City of Portsmouth
  • The City of Suffolk
  • The County of Surry
  • The County of Isle of Wight
  • The City of Hampton
  • The City of Newport News
  • The County of York
  • The City of Poquoson
  • The City of James City
  • The City of Hopewell
  • The County of Henrico
  • The City of Richmond
  • The County of Chesterfield
  • The County of Northampton
  • The County of Accomack
  • Frederick County Sheriff’s Office
  • The County of Prince George
  • The County of Gloucester
  • Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department
  • The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
  • Virginia Marine Police
  • Virginia State Police
  • United States Navy, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic


A Legacy of Innovation


The POV MIRT is the first organization of its kind in the United States and remains unique among ports nationwide. The concept for a coordinated maritime response team emerged from a vision in 1984 when Bill Burket, now Senior Director, attended a U.S. Coast Guard hosted Train-the-Trainer course in marine firefighting. At the time, Hampton Roads had never experienced a unified, multi-agency maritime response capability for fires or hazardous materials incidents within a port environment. At the time, Hampton Roads lacked a unified maritime response capability. In collaboration with the Virginia Maritime Association, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia (then MSO Hampton Roads), and the U.S. Navy Fire Fighting School, the team was formally established.

In 1991, POV MIRT hosted its inaugural Marine Firefighting School, attended primarily by firefighters from Hampton Roads area departments. From this training, a dedicated cadre of MIRT personnel was formed. Since then, POV MIRT Marine Firefighting School has grown into a premier training program, welcoming students from across the United States and around the world, while continually advancing maritime emergency response capabilities.

From pioneering roots to national leadership, POV MIRT continues to set the standard for maritime safety, resilience, and interagency coordination at America’s Most Modern Gateway.

Training & Preparedness

In addition to emergency response, POV MIRT is a recognized leader in maritime training and interagency coordination. The team hosts several cornerstone training events annually, including:

This 6 day forum delivers a comprehensive blend of classroom instruction and hands-on training, incorporating both practical and advanced search and rescue exercises to strengthen operational readiness. Participants engage in challenging nighttime evolutions focused on navigation and SAR operations under difficult conditions, as well as daytime exercises designed to reinforce learned skills. The program also includes an interactive vendor component, featuring the latest tools, resources, and technical expertise available to vessel crews and command staff. This highly collaborative environment ensures attendees gain the knowledge, confidence, and real-world experience necessary to respond effectively to maritime emergencies.
This 6 day school is an in-depth training program providing classroom instruction and hands-on experience in essential firefighting concepts and strategies unique to the maritime environment. Participants take part in realistic firefighting evolutions, gaining practical skills in controlled scenarios that mirror actual marine incidents. The course also includes guided vessel tours to familiarize responders with shipboard systems, potential hazards, and operational layouts. All training is aligned with NFPA 1005 standards, ensuring participants meet professional qualifications in marine firefighting while building the competence and confidence needed to operate in high-risk maritime situations.
This 5 day forum advances underwater rescue, recovery, and investigation skills for public safety divers. This forum provides specialized training for public safety divers, including Basic Oxygen Provider certification, Dive Medic Awareness, Pool Stress Inoculation, and technical skills such as AGA/Guardian repair and visual tank inspections. Sessions also address emerging challenges and innovations, from leveraging technology in dive operations to tactical considerations for ice and swift water rescues. Designed for both new and experienced divers, the program delivers practical insights, essential skills, and valuable networking to enhance operational readiness and team performance.
This 5 day school is designed specifically for Incident Commanders in the maritime environment. This course focuses on the decision-making, coordination, and resource management skills required to lead complex maritime emergency operations. Building on the fundamentals taught in the Marine Firefighting School, the course addresses the unique challenges of commanding multi-agency responses in the port and maritime environment. The curriculum covers situational awareness, risk assessment, and responder safety while navigating dynamic and hazardous conditions. Participants engage in advanced tabletop exercises simulating unified command scenarios, as well as vessel tours to gain firsthand familiarity with shipboard systems and layouts, further enhancing their ability to lead safe, effective, and coordinated maritime firefighting operations 

Shaping the Future of Port Preparedness

Beyond these major events, POV MIRT conducts semi-annual terminal-based training in partnership with local public safety agencies and terminal operators. These exercises are designed to ensure seamless integration of responders and port personnel during real-world incidents inside terminal gates. This proactive approach to preparedness strengthens operational readiness, fosters interagency relationships, and ensures the highest level of maritime safety and security.

The National Port Partner Emergency Response Summit is an annual, two-day event bringing together industry leaders and responders from across the maritime, commercial, and public safety sectors for focused dialogue, collaboration, and training on “All Hazards” preparedness within the port environment. Building on the momentum of previous years, the summit addresses critical issues such as:

  • Emergency preparedness and response within the port community
  • Protecting critical infrastructure and the national supply chain
  • Salvage marine firefighting
  • Cybersecurity, UAS threats, and evolving risks in the maritime domain
  • Navigating legal and operational challenges in ports of refuge and maritime risk management


The summit draws more than 300 professionals from federal, state, and local agencies, along with commercial and maritime partners, each playing a vital role in safeguarding port operations. Through expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and interagency networking, attendees gain actionable strategies, innovative solutions, and strengthened relationships that enhance resilience and readiness across the port community.
By rotating host locations, the summit provides participants with the opportunity to experience and learn from diverse port environments while maintaining the continuity and expertise of The Port of Virginia’s coordination.

Fostering Security at America’s Most Modern Gateway

The Port of Virginia stands as a key strategic seaport, driving global military logistics and homeland security, fostering the partnerships and collaborative programs to ensure resilient, safe, and secure operations now and in the future.

National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA)

Hampton Roads Chapter – The Port of Virginia is proud to be designated as one of only 18 Strategic Seaports in the United States, which is a critical gateway for the deployment and sustainment of U.S. military forces worldwide. As part of this role, we regularly support military out loads, ensuring that cargo, equipment, and personnel are moved efficiently and securely to meet national defense and homeland security objectives.

Our commitment to strengthening military and industry collaboration is further demonstrated through our role as host and chair of the NDTA Hampton Roads Chapter. In this capacity, we lead a network of military, government, and private-sector transportation and logistics professionals, fostering strong relationships and advancing shared goals in support of both national defense and commercial readiness.

Through the NDTA Hampton Roads Chapter, we:

  • Provide a trusted forum for dialogue between the military, industry, and government agencies.
  • Promote education, training, and information-sharing on transportation, logistics, and passenger travel services.
  • Support readiness and operational effectiveness through joint exercises, workshops, and strategic planning initiatives.
  • Engage the next generation of professionals through mentorship and professional development opportunities.

By combining The Port of Virginia’s strategic capabilities with the NDTA’s mission, we help ensure that our region remains a vital hub for logistics excellence, operational readiness, and the seamless integration of military and commercial transportation networks.

MIRT Regional Maritime Security


POV MIRT also plays a critical role in regional maritime security and operational continuity. As an active participant in the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), MIRT supports U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia in reconstituting port operations following major storms, natural disasters, or other events that disrupt or suspend activities due to safety or security concerns.
MIRT contributes its expertise through involvement in the following AMSC subcommittees:

  • AMSC Executive Committee
  • Area Committee
  • Law Enforcement Committee
  • Port Readiness Committee
  • RAD/NUC Committee
  • Harbor Safety Committee


MIRT Emergency Operations Program


In addition to its regional role, the POV MIRT team manages a comprehensive emergency operations program. Key responsibilities include:

  • Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) – Serve as the ESF-1 (Transportation) representative at the State Emergency Operations Center, providing critical support for transportation functions during declared emergencies or active response operations. Through these efforts, the Port of Virginia MIRT ensures coordinated preparedness, rapid response, and seamless recovery operations that safeguard port functionality and the broader maritime transportation system.
  • Virginia Port Authority Emergency Coordination – Ensure alignment with the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP); coordinate closely with VDEM and local agencies; monitor state updates; and maintain an active emergency action plan. Provide annual COVEOP updates to VDEM.
  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) – Implement and maintain the Port’s continuity plan under the direction of the Executive Director, including the facilitation of required annual training and exercises.
  • Virginia Homeland Security Working Group – Represent the Virginia Port Authority in statewide disaster recovery and COVEOP initiatives as an active member of this working group.

Additional Support Links

MIRT Contacts

Bill Burket, Sr. Director, MIRT & Business Continuity
Email: bburket@portofvirginia.com
Phone: 757-683-2199

Brett Johnson, Manager, MIRT & Business Continuity
Email: bjohnson@portofvirginia.com
Phone: 757-683-8950