[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will stage a full scale emergency exercise on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 involving a simulated ‘Aircraft Crash’ on the Aerodrome.
According to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir, the Emergency Exercise is a requirement of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
CJIAC last full-scale emergency was conducted on November 6, 2013.
“International Airports are required to conduct such exercises at least once every two years since it allows for testing of responses by all personnel involved, emergency plans and procedures and emergency equipment and communication,” Mr. Ghir explained.
A press release from the airport noted that the exercise will have approximately 300 persons from responding agencies from CJIA, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Airport Fire Service, Customs and Immigration, Airport Security Unit, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Airport Operators/ Airlines, the Civil Defence Commission and Port Health.
The exercise is schedule to start at 11:00hrs with an “aircraft crash” being reported inside the aerodrome with 41 persons on board, after which the various agencies will be notified to respond to the accident.
The Aerodrome Fire Service will be the first Agency to response. The area will then be cordoned off by the airport security officers ( CJIAC and Special Constabulary Officers) with support from the police .
The injured persons will be assessed on site in a tent set up by the Army and transported to the CAM Hangar (care area)which will serve as a “mini- hospital” managed by doctors and other medical personnel. The most critical will be transported to the Diagnostic Centre at Diamond.
The Army will form an outer cordon to protect the area. A senior CJIAC Staff will assume the role of the on ‘On Scene Commander’
The Emergency Operations Centre will be activated and representatives from the Agencies and the Emergency Committee members will report to the EOC to assist with the coordination of any request for resources and assist with decision-making.
The Red Caps and other volunteers from other Agencies will act the role as casualties. The duration of the Exercise is expected to take approximately two hours.
