Airport and local emergency responders will get realistic practice dealing with a full-scale simulated airline crash at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport on Tuesday, September 1st. The “Triennial Full Scale Airport Emergency Exercise” is required by the Federal Aviation Administration every three years. It will include approximately 50 “victims” and “families of victims” played by local volunteers and actors.
The drill will be held beginning in late afternoon into the evening on Tuesday, September 1st. The exercise will be held near the Airport Operations Center on the west side of the airport.
The widely-used “Incident Command System” will be activated and rescue equipment and personnel will be deployed.
“We will try to make the drill as realistic as possible so we can fully test our ability to quickly and efficiently respond to any emergency that happens on the airport, particularly when it involves a commercial airliner or large private aircraft,” said Assistant Aviation Director of Operations & Facilities, Dustin Havel.”
Volunteers will receive full “moulage” or injury simulation makeup for the drill. First responders will practice determining the extent of injury, treating on the scene and transporting victims to the Hospital. A mobile aircraft fire training unit will be used to simulate the aircraft fuselage. Airline officials will practice dealing with “families of victims.”
Airport and airline personnel will participate along with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department, Aspen Fire Protection District, Aspen Ambulance, Snowmass-Wildcat Fire Protection District, Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and a host of local volunteers and actors.
Contact: Dustin Havel
Assistant Aviation Director of Operations and Facilities – 429-2855