The following is a statement by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors Chair Rodney Lusk in response to the aviation collision at Reagan National Airport. Lusk is a Fairfax County Supervisor.

“Our hearts go out to all the passengers and crew members of the aircrafts that collided near DCA and their families. Area officials are incredibly grateful to our region’s first responders for their service and heroism. It’s clear that our longstanding collaborative work as a region to develop the National Capital Region Mutual Aid Agreement helped support a seamless, swift response by DC/MD/VA responders to this major incident. Agencies have also been leveraging various regional public safety tools, including regional alert notifications, mapping, and video resources, for enhanced situational awareness, and COG stands ready to provide additional assistance as needed by our members.”