Airport exercise tests emergency services response

Using a scenario of a light aircraft colliding with a vehicle on approach to the runway, the exercise examined procedures of joint working and coordination between the airport and blue light services for aviation emergencies.

The exercise gave participants invaluable experience of responding to a situation involving realistic sights, sounds and smells.

In the unlikely event that crews need to respond to a real emergency at the airport, all involved will be in the best position to respond effectively.

Such exercises are critical to ensure a coordinated response to major incidents on and around the airfield.

The exercise was simulated in the Airport’s fire training ground and was designed to enhance the skills of emergency responders when managing a major incident.

Objectives were to examine the joint workings of Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, St John Ambulance Cymru, Haverfordwest Airport Firefighters and Fly Wales.

The exercise involved two ‘casualties’ in the light aircraft and three in the vehicle.

The airport’s base operators volunteered as casualties inside the aircraft and vehicle.

In total four fire appliances, from Fishguard, Milford Haven and Narberth, took part as well as two ambulances.

“Safety is our number one priority and exercises like this provide the opportunity for multiple agencies and the airport to test their response plans and gain key learning experiences to respond to an emergency involving an aircraft,” said Phil Davies, Airport Assistant. 

“The exercise is required as part of the airport’s certification through Civil Aviation Authority, but is also an extremely valuable tool in emergency preparedness and multi-agency collaboration.”

Lessons learned from the exercise will be used to update response plans and reinforce collective emergency response preparedness at all levels.