(BIVN) – An emergency response training exercise will be held this week at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole.
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation says the simulated emergency incident will take place on Thursday, November 12, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The full-scale exercise is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be held every three years in order to evaluate emergency response plans, policies, and procedures at Kona airport.
The Hawaiʻi DOT says the exercise will involve airport personnel and local response agencies working together to test and evaluate interagency communications, coordination, responders’ actions and operational effectiveness. From a Hawaiʻi DOT news release:
In addition to KOA and HDOT staff, participating agencies will include KOA Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Hawai‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i Civil Defense, Transportation Security Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Hawai‘i National Guard, United Airlines, American Medical Response, American Red Cross and Allied Universal Security. Approximately 80 volunteers from Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino High School and Hawai‘i Community College’s Fire Science and Emergency Medical Technician Program will role play as passengers in distress.
Appropriate safety precautions will be in place throughout the exercise and all flight operations will continue as normal.
The public is advised to be aware of increased emergency response vehicles, mass casualty equipment and security personnel, as well as simulated fire suppression, triage, and emergency transport across designated airport locations. The public should not interfere or attempt to assist the training exercise.
