Buchanan, Tenn.–Henry County first responders participated in the state’s Vigilant Guard Earthquake exercise on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. On Thursday, Henry County hosted the Tennessee Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) at Paris Landing/Ky Lake, where they responded to a mock emergency rescue incident involving damage to the Ned Ray McWherter bridge over the TN River. A Blackhawk Helicopter AH-60 flew in from Nashville with rescue divers and hoisted victims to safety, comprised of the Tennessee National Guard’s 45th Civil Support Team stationed in Smyrna, TN. TN HART is a highly specialized team composed of members and aviation from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Air National Guard, and Nashville Fire Department Special Operations Unit. EMA Director Ron Watkins said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to the agencies that participated in this exercise, including Paris Landing State Park, TWRA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Paris Henry County Rescue Squad, Henry County AMR EMS, Paris Landing Fire Department, Henry County Mayor, and Henry County EMA Drone UAS Team. KY Lake provided an ideal location for open water rescue training, which adds valuable experience necessary for emergency rescue operations.” Henry County EMA photo.