EIA’s full-scale emergency exercise a safety-related success

EIA’s full-scale emergency exercise a safety-related success
New passenger tracking system and Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer employed

(September 22, 2009) Edmonton, Alta.—Twenty plus ambulances, 20 firefighting apparatuses, 140 volunteers, STARs, emergency response services personnel, police, government agencies, community supports and Canada’s first Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer all added up to the completion of a successful emergency training exercise at Edmonton International Airport (EIA). The exercise was conducted today.

“This was the largest emergency response training exercise we’ve ever done at Edmonton International Airport,” says Burl Hamm, EIA’s manager of emergency response services and emergency planning. “After we review the exercise, we’ll use the results to enhance our integrated regional emergency and hospital services. Our ongoing training will make a difference in someone’s life if a real emergency situation occurs.”

Simulating an airliner crash, the exercise was part of Edmonton Airports’ regulatory requirements with Transport Canada to maintain an effective emergency response plan for the airport, airlines and regional response agencies.

“This was the first large-scale simulation exercise we have encountered since the transition of ambulance provision to Alberta Health Services on April 1, 2009,” says Shane Inkster, emergency medical services manager with Alberta Health Services, North/Central zone. “Based on its complexity, magnitude and dynamics, this scenario provided us with a venue to adequately test EMS system plans and procedures.”

EIA’s emergency response services team also had an opportunity to put its Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer (MAFT) through the paces during an official exercise. The fully self-contained system provides training in the control and extinguishment of aviation fuel spill fires and aircraft incident fire emergencies in and around an aircraft. Going forward, EIA’s emergency response services team will use its expertise with the unit to provide emergency response training at other airports.

“The MAFT unit is an invaluable resource for local airport training,” says Hamm. “By burning propane it is also a more environmentally friendly training tool.”

Edmonton Airports will be providing an up-close-and-personal showcase of the high-tech MAFT unit for the media on October 6 as part of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4-10.

Media Contact:

Donna Call,
Communications
p. 780 890 8454
c. 780 717 5117
e. dcall@flyeia.com