On Saturday, March 13, dozens of emergency vehicles descended upon RDU's North Cargo area. Fortunately, the response was for Skydrill 2010, a full-scale simulated aircraft incident drill, and not an actual emergency.
Every three years, the Federal Aviation Administration requires certified commercial airports to hold emergency exercises to test response plans. More than 100 volunteers participated in the event.
The drill involved a simulated incident involving a flight landing at RDU. Emergency responders from numerous agencies across Wake and Durham counties responded to the airport as if the drill had been an actual emergency. |
Emergency Services personnel listen
to instructions before a joint training
with
the city of Raleigh. |
Various parts of RDU's emergency plan were tested including the airport's response to the aircraft, its ability to work with surrounding emergency response agencies and its plan for treating victims on the airfield. About two dozen volunteers were made-up to look like they had received actual injuries in the incident, providing for a more dynamic training experience.
Also, the airport tested its ability to communicate during a incident. Volunteers played the role of friends and family of those onboard the flight, and airport and airline staff practiced how they would comfort and share information with them. The Marketing Communications Department also simulated providing information to the news media in a timely manner, including holding two mock press conferences.
JetBlue also participated in the drill as RDU's airline partner. While the full-scale exercise is held once every three years, the Airport Authority holds annual tabletop exercises to ensure skills remain sharp.
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