Periodically, Roanoke Regional Airport is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a full blown live disaster drill that simulates real life conditions, should a disaster occur on the airport tarmac. The latest one took place last week, involving 23 local agencies and several jurisdictions, according to Roanoke Regional Airport spokesperson and marketing manager, Sherry Wallace.
Volunteers were made up to look like victims of a crash, calling out for help, while fires raged elsewhere. The American Red Cross offered comfort to some while others were triaged and taken to Lewis Gale Hospital, where nurses and doctors brushed up on their disaster response times.
Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Vinton, Salem, Carilion Community Patient Transport, U.S. Airways Express and the Virginia State Police were just several of the agencies involved in a drill designed to look and feel as real as possible. “All commercial carriers have to do a full scale live exercise [every three years],” said Wallace.
On September 30 the parties involved will sit down and assess how they did. In other off years a “desktop” simulation must be performed to make sure the airport and the pertinent agencies are ready.
“Victims” of the plane crash may come from local citizens’ police groups, the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, drama students from local colleges, and even those close to airport personnel. “We make our friends and relatives show up,” chuckled Wallace. Paramedics practice their response to a mass casualty accident, while police and fire departments do their part.
Evaluators and the other groups involved are preparing reports that will be discussed on the 30th, looking for gaps in the response to the live mock drill. “You always find something,” says Wallace.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]
