The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), working together with the Rhode Island Emergency Management (RIEMA) and its emergency response partners, will hold a Disaster Preparedness Exercise at T.F. Green Airport on Saturday, September 14th beginning at 8:00 a.m. This disaster drill will assist aviation, law enforcement, first responders in incident preparedness.
“This required exercise tests our responsiveness in the event of an incident or accident. There is a great deal of required communication and cooperation between first responders, city and state agencies and RIAC, said RIAC President and CEO Kelly Fredericks. Since safety and security of our passengers is our top priority, we thank all the participating agencies and appreciate their cooperation.”
Upwards of 250 and more than 20 agencies will be involved in the exercise. The event, will be conducted as if it were an actual incident, with agencies responding accordingly. Additionally, area hospitals will participate as in the case of an actual emergency. The exercise, expected to last several hours, will be held primarily on the northeast side of the airfield at the intersection of two Taxiways with emergency vehicle staging areas adjacent to the airport.
The drill involves the active collaboration of various agencies, including: the FAA, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), RI State Police, RIEMA, the RI Department of Health, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, RIAC Police and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighters, City of Warwick Police and Fire and a host of mutual aid units from area fire departments.
“Neighbors should note that there will be increased activity in and around the airport on Saturday, September 14th,” said John Thomas, chief of the RIAC Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) unit, who is coordinating the event. “We want to ensure that no one is alarmed with the many emergency vehicles that are part of the drill and will be enacting an emergency response. This exercise is intended to review proper protocol in the event of a disaster and also to reassure travelers and others that the airport is prepared if an unfortunate event were to occur.”
The Mock Disaster Exercise is a coordinated effort of state and local police, fire, rescue and emergency management personnel from across Rhode Island, designed to enhance the capability of Rhode Island crisis managers and first responders. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all airports perform such an exercise every three years to receive the agency’s safety certification. The exercise is funded by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program.
