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Airport simulates explosive situation
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Don't worry: It was only a test. As part of a Federal Aviation Administration requirement, the airport tested its ability to react to emergency situations by simulating a bomb explosion. Using a DC-9 commercial airplane and 60 volunteer victims, airport officials developed the exercise to examine emergency response time and to try and find holes in the existing response plans. Thomas Jewsbury, director of operations for the airport, said the drill will help the airport pinpoint areas it needs to improve. "We have an airport emergency plan on paper, but this allows us to role-play it," he said. The scenario was this: A plane en route to Washington had been diverted to the airport because of a bomb threat. As passengers were being evacuated, the bomb exploded. Airport officials and emergency response agencies -- including the American Red Cross, Sunstar paramedic ambulance service, the U.S. Coast Guard, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, local fire and police departments, and area hospitals -- were called to the scene. Jewsbury said he thought the drill went smoothly. A team of workers representing each of the responding agencies watched the simulation, jotting down notes and observations. The team will meet early next week to talk about ways to improve the emergency plan, he said. "So far so good," he said. "There are so many different areas and things going on that I can't see everything, but it looks to be going well." The drill was in the works for nearly a year, Jewsbury said. The FAA requires the airport to do an emergency preparedness drill once every three years. The long preparation period makes the simulation less realistic than if it were a surprise, but important lessons can still be learned, said Robert Cotnoir, an aircraft rescue firefighting training officer who served as an evaluator for Friday's drill. "Although it's not exactly like the real thing, what we can see is how well our crews respond," he said. "For instance, the fire department crews had to secure the aircraft, just like they would if a real bomb threat were to occur." Coast Guard officer Jolyn Williams volunteered as a passenger during the drill. Face covered in red makeup to simulate a burn victim, she walked from the plane. She said she learned a lot from her participation. "I just wanted to see how they would respond to something like this," she said. "It seems like they're capable of handling it." -- Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 445-4224 or at vansickle@sptimes.com .
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