Preparing for emergency

Photo: Kate Bouey

It was taken very seriously.

The City of Vernon held a simulated emergency situation at Vernon Regional Airport Thursday morning.

The simulation involved crews from Vernon Fire Rescue responding to a Metro aircraft with four passengers that made an emergency landing at the airport.

Those taking part included city operations staff, Vernon Fire Rescue Services, bylaw, RCMP and communications as well as members of BC Ambulance, Vernon Search and Rescue and the Vernon Flying Club.

"The purpose of this exercise is to provide emergency responders, city staff and potential stakeholders with the opportunity to apply the city’s emergency response plan in a safe and realistic manner," said Tanya Laing Gahr, city spokesperson, ahead of the operation. "The exercise covers all aspects of an emergency situation to detection of the emergency through to wrap-up and debrief."

The scenario involved the emergency off-runway landing of a twin-propeller airplane with a pilot, co-pilot and two passengers.

In the scenario, the pilot was trapped with minor injuries and one of the passengers was experiencing chest pains and showing classic signs of a heart attack. Fuel from the plane leaked into the soil under the right wing of the plane.

Crews attending onsite had to safely remove passengers from the plane and respond to hazardous materials with a potential environmental impact.

“We are pleased with how the exercise was completed,” said Ian Adkins, airport supervisor. “The simulation gives us an opportunity to see what works well with our emergency plans and what we need to improve upon.”

Many communities hold emergency simulations to ensure they are prepared for a real emergency and to ensure their plans are workable.