Major airport emergency exercise held
A major airport emergency exercise was held this morning, with rescuers taking part in two simulated scenarios.
The first exercise simulated an emergency caused when an aircraft suffered a partial undercarriage failure on landing. The 'incident' left one person dead and 11 injured. Some passengers tried to escape from the aircraft while others were trapped and needed to be rescued. The fuselage was filled with smoke and visibility was minimal.
The second scenario saw dangerous cargo catch fire on board an aircraft. The cargo aircraft broke in half as it was engulfed in flames, killing three crew members.
Airport fire crews were backed by the fire department of the Civil Protection Department as they rescued the passengers from an old BAC 1-11 aircraft, which was simulating the aircraft with the damaged undercarriage.
Ambulance crews from Mater Dei Hospital also raced to the scene.
In the second scenario, firemen and CPD personnel trained in dealing with hazardous material approach and removed the dangerous burning cargo. In this case the men are wearing full protective clothing and breathing equipment.
The exercise also involved the AFM, the Civil Aviation Directorate, the police, Malta Red Cross, St John Rescue Corps, Malta Air Traffic Services, the DOI, Emirates, Lufthansa and Air Malta.
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Anthony A. Mifsud
Nov 24th 2010, 19:17
Thumbs up to all This is what we used to call TechEval, Techtical Evaluation, where all the Station will shut down operations and revert to the crissis. Weldone boys Toni
Elizabeth Gowland Camilleri
Nov 24th 2010, 16:28
Well done to everyone today!
You are very much appreciated by the people for keeping us safe and helping us in our hour of need. Young boys and girls will grow up dreaming of becoming part of the emergency services after seeing you all in action. :-))
Lorraine Bellizzi
Nov 24th 2010, 15:13
Thumbs up MIA Fire and Rescue Services...and all the other rescuers of course!
St John Ambulance
Nov 24th 2010, 15:09
Along with the organizationed mentioned, St John Ambulance also participated.
Well done to all involved.
J Buhagiar
Nov 24th 2010, 16:24
Well done. However unfrtuantely not all Emergency NGO's were asked to participate.
Peter Korsten
Nov 24th 2010, 12:50
One time, when flying back home at night, I got the impression there were some issues with the undercarriage when taking off. As we were landing, I looked out the window and spotted three fire engines in the gloom, neatly lined up next to the runway. Where they there for us? I'll never know, as everything went smoothly.
Even though crash tenders and fire engines are not the sort of thing you want to see when you're landing, it's good to know that these people are there for your safety.
Jon BUhagiar
Nov 24th 2010, 12:30
Very good exercise, however it's a pity not all Emergency NGO's were given the opportunity to experience such exercise.
Pierre Micallef Grimaud
Nov 24th 2010, 12:20
Well done all those involved. Looks like it was a great success. We need more of these emergency practices, not just at the airport, but in public buildings, offices, factories, hotels and places of entertainment.