BBIA: Full-scale emergency exercise today

Ambulances, vehicles and helicopters will be in action.


Our Correspondent April 19, 2016
Benazir Bhutto International Airport. PHOTO: APP/ FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has planned to conduct a full-scale airport emergency exercise 2016 today at 10:30am to test response of all agencies involved in aircraft accident according to International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards and Crisis and Emergency Response Plan.

The purpose of the exercise is to establish coordination among participating agencies to carry out rescue and fire operations in case of aircraft crash or any untoward incident at the airport, said a press release. The exercise will enable the management to assess prompt response and coordination.

Fire and rescue departments, ambulances, Rescue 1122 and armed forces will participate in the mock exercise.

An Airbus A-320 will be used for this emergency exercise which involves boarding of mock passengers and casualties, and manning of aircraft by crew (cockpit and cabin), while Airport Security Force will cordon off the aircraft and observer area. Triage area will be established at the airport to classify causalities according to priority. Rescue and evacuation of passengers from the aircraft will begin and volunteers acting as injured passengers will be transported in ambulances and helicopters to nearest hospitals.

On receiving the emergency call, fire brigades will respond to simulated scene of aircraft accident and extinguish fire by following procedures as laid down in the crisis and emergency response plan.

Emergency exercise will be conducted under command of airport manager. After the exercise, a panel of experts from airlines, hospitals, security agencies and PCAA will evaluate the response. The panel will also highlight deficiencies in the mock exercise and suggest improvements for smooth real-time execution.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2016.

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