Airport stages disaster drill

Huntsville International Airport will stage a full-scale disaster drill on Sept. 15. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville International Airport will stage a full-scale disaster drill on Sept. 15. Residents can volunteer to participate.

“Huntsville International Airport does a full-scale disaster drill once every three years in order to ensure that we and our community mutual-aid partners are prepared in the event of a real incident at the airport,” Jana Kuner said. Kuner works as Public Relations Manager for Port of Huntsville – Huntsville International Airport.

“As a part of this process, we will enact a full-scale disaster drill at Huntsville International Airport on Sept. 15,” Kuner said. This training exercise will involve airport public safety, operations, public relations and community partners like police, fire and HEMSI personnel.

The ‘disaster’ will include a passenger aircraft that clips a U.S. military helicopter while landing. “We will have two sites, a helicopter down on the field and a simulated aircraft down on the field,” Kuner said. Smoke and fire will give reality to the scenes.

“We are in need of approximately 30 volunteers to perform the role of victims,” Kuner said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for students interested in an aviation career or public safety career to get behind-the-scenes exposure and experience with airport public safety and operational procedures to include fire, police and EMS, as well as crisis management.”

If selected, participants must be available Sept. 15 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and must provide their own transportation to the facility. Anyone interested in participating should call Sabrena Zangel at 256-258-1240 or email szangel@hsvairport.org.