Training Day: Preparing for bridge and tunnel emergencies

NEW JERSEY (FOX5NY.COM) - Fox 5 got an exclusive look at a day of training for Port Authority tunnel and bridge agents, or TBAs. These agents are often the first line of defense in a bridge or tunnel emergency.

If your car catches fire inside the Holland Tunnel or a medical emergency unfolds at the Lincoln Tunnel, there is a good chance one of these trainees will be on scene.

Training began five weeks ago at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in New Jersey. When all is said and done, five of these agents will be stationed at the Holland and five at the Lincoln.

In the future, they will have the chance to work on the Port Authority bridges. But first, they have to cut their teeth.

Each year, agents respond to more than 3,500 incidents. Some are serious, others aren't but all require some sort of emergency assistance.

This is a good time to be a TBA. The Port Authority is seeing a large chunk of its workforce retire, which means these men and women training now are in high demand and they have the unique chance to really prove themselves.