CHICAGO, 2015-6-10 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), Chicago Fire Department (CFD) and several other city, state and federal officials conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise today at Midway International Airport. The exercise was a simulated incident involving a fire onboard an aircraft volunteers posing as victims. The exercise was intended to evaluate the capability and effectiveness of emergency responders in the event of an actual aircraft emergency.
The airport is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hold a full-scale airport emergency plan exercise at least once every three years.
“The safety and security of our travelers and employees is our top priority at Chicago’s airports and that’s the reason we’re here today,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “We hope that we never have to experience a real incident like this simulated one, but it is the important training and experience gained today that will ultimately help save lives in the event of an actual emergency.”
More than 20 responding units from City departments, state and federal agencies participated in today’s exercise, including the CFD, CDA, Chicago Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC),Transportation Security Administration (TSA), FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, Salvation Army,American Red Cross and Southwest Airlines. Fire and emergency response companies from several municipalities near Midway airport also participated.
Approximately 90 volunteers from the North Chicago Naval Station as airline passengers in the scenario, with injuries simulated through “moulaging,” a technique that uses theatrical makeup.
The two-hour exercise started at 10 a.m. and did not impact regular airport operations.
The CDA made announcements to passengers in the terminal at Midway International Airport during the exercise indicating that a simulated training incident was taking place.
The requirement to test airport/airfield emergency response capabilities is mandated by the FAA, and is a condition precedent to U.S. airports’ operating certification by FAA standards. The last full-scale exercise at Midway International Airport was in June 2012, and at O’Hare International Airport, a similar required exercise was held in September 2014.
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The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at O’Hare and Midway International airports. Together, Chicago’s airports generate more than $45 billion in annual economic activity and create 540,000 jobs for the region. Please visit www.flychicago.com to learn more about the Chicago Department of Aviation.
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A recruit from N. Chicago Naval
Station is “moulaged” for the emergency exercise at Midway