LAX TO PRACTICE EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN FULL-SCALE AIRPORT EXERCISE
(Note to Media: Media briefing is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. The air exercise will begin at 9:00 a.m.)
(Los Angeles – April 11, 2001) A full-scale simulated aircraft emergency, AIREX 2001, will be staged today at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to test the operational capability of the airport’s emergency management system in a real-time, stress environment, in which personnel, equipment and materiel are mobilized and deployed. The air exercise will take place on the restricted airfield adjacent to the LAX Imperial Terminal at 6661 Imperial Highway.
Approximately 700 emergency response personnel will participate, representing the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAX Airfield Operations, LAX Airport Police Division, El Segundo Police Department, federal aviation and law enforcement agencies, American Red Cross, hospital emergency rooms and medical units, Los Angeles World Airports administrative staff, and other mutual aid organizations.
The simulation will actually involve two incidences occurring simultaneously – an aircraft-vehicle collision and a hazardous materials spill. The following scenario will occur: an arriving passenger aircraft taxiing to its gate collides with a stair truck. The aircraft comes to emergency stop and initiates passenger evacuations. The collision results in damage to the wing, fuselage, and passenger compartment. Fuel spilled from the wing fuel tanks creates a fire hazard. The stair truck continues on and collides with ramp workers and vehicles on the adjoining ramp, resulting in a hazardous material spill. Personal injuries, fatalities, property damage, and contamination result from this double accident.
One of the airport’s two new state-of-the-art hazardous material decontamination units will be deployed in the simulation. In addition to triage and on-site treatment of nearly 100 "victims," medical evacuation by helicopter is scheduled.
The objectives of AIREX 2001 are: (1) to examine the emergency response capabilities and readiness of LAX operations and support personnel, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and area mutual aid organizations (including local hospitals); (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of LAX in implementing the Incident Command System under the California Standardized Management System; (3) to practice life-saving strategies and methods; and (4) to test and evaluate the effectiveness of LAX’s support and coordination with airlines and other \/tenants in implementing the airport’s emergency plan.
Los Angeles World Airports Deputy Executive Director of Operations Michael DiGirolamo said, "The air exercise will give individuals and agencies an opportunity to practice and refine their emergency procedures. This full-scale, real-time simulation provides necessary experience to maximize the effectiveness of all of our emergency response team members should an incident occur at LAX."
Federal aviation regulations require all commercial U.S. airports to conduct a full-scale exercise at least every three years. Los Angeles World Airports regularly conducts exercises using various emergency scenarios that might occur at LAX. Past air exercises include an airfield incident, an earthquake, and an over-the-water incident.
(GLG - 4/11/01)
