STEWART AIRPORT – Fire and emergency
services personnel from across the region converged on Stewart Airport
on Saturday, but it was only a drill, not a real plane crash.
An emergency disaster drill is required at airports every three years.
This year’s centered on a mock plane crash, with live fire on a
training plane provided by Kellogg Community College of Michigan and mock
passenger victims comprised of student volunteers from local schools.
First responders attend to “victims”
Firefighters extinguish flames
Stewart General Manager Ed Harrison said the drill is an important part
of the emergency response of airport personnel and local agencies.
“This drill is of critical importance to this airport, especially
as we make investments to grow and to add flights, bring more passengers,”
said Harrison. “We want to make sure that we’re ready and
that all the agencies that participated with us – New York State
troopers, all the surrounding municipalities that come to assist, the
Air National Guard – this is a cohesive unit that’s prepared
to handle anything that might come our way as we invest in the future
and grow for the future,” he said.
The evaluators for the drill are selected expert professionals in the
field, said Oscar Hollenbeck, Stewart chief operating officer.
He said that there have been table discussions for some time building
up to the drill because of the huge scope and amount of parties involved;
however, he believes the time dedicated paid off in success. “We
have been planning this drill for about three months. We’ve had
weekly meetings and we’ve had a really great response by the local
support team we’ve got and we’re very happy today we had a
good turnout.”
