All systems go for Emerald Airport active exercise
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Posted on June 20, 2023
You may have had to look twice if you were at the Emerald Airport on Saturday 10 June, or you could have mistakenly thought you were in an action movie!
Every 2 years, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requires the airport team to conduct an active exercise on site. The scenario is based on a real-life emergency situation and designed to test and measure the strength of emergency response by airport employees and first responders
Over 100 people attended the exercise, ranging from first responder teams from Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance and both urban and rural Fire Services as well as SES, Swissport, ISS and Star teams that are based at the airport permanently.
Students from Emerald State High School and members of the Emerald Little Theatre were also invited to attend, acting as ‘survivors’ and distressed ‘family members’.
The exercise was a success, and no major shortfalls were identified during the operation. All teams involved reported positive conclusions with some minor learnings to be implemented across operations to ensure the best possible outcome in an emergency.
A report on the exercise is being prepared and will be forwarded to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Over the next 12 months, a desktop emergency response scenario will be conducted and require further inter-agency cooperation. These exercises are vital in keeping the processes and first responders updated with contemporary emergency practices.
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