The emergency teams at Santiago’s Cibao International Airport carried out a full-scale simulation of an airline disaster yesterday. Much like the people in Sioux City, Iowa did years ago, the Santiago teams faced the following scenario: A 300 passenger jet coming from New York, with 1000 pounds of fuel on board, lands on a wet runway in conditions of reduced visibility. The fuselage splits in two and fire breaks out.
Under these circumstances, as reported by El Caribe reporter Roberto Santana, the fire and rescue units of the Airport Security Specialized Corps (CESA) put the emergency plan into action.
Victor Suarez, the airport manager, told the reporters that the exercise was part of the requirements of the Dominican aeronautical laws as well as requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (OACI). Every two years the airport has to carry out such an exercise in order to remain fully operational. Among the emergency teams participating in the exercise were the CESA Fire Department, the Airport Medical unit, private security teams, the operations and maintenance departments of the airport itself, as well as units from the police, AMET, Politur, the army, the Red Cross, Civil Defense and the Emergency Committee. The fire brigade had to fight fires at the head of the East Runway, using foam sprays, and calling in assistance from neighboring fire departments in Licey al Medio, Moca, Tamboril, Salcedo and Santiago.
Supervising the operation were observers and evaluators from the Civil Aeronautic Board and personnel from Punta Cana, Las Americas and Puerto Plata airports. Andres Vanderhorst, the head of the Airport Authority was also present.
The final toll of the “accident” was 20 dead, 10 critical, 16 seriously injured and 9 with minor injuries out of the 300 “passengers” on board the fictitious flight. After the exercise, general Ramon Hernandez and Vanderhorst told reporters that the success of the simulation demonstrated that security at the local airports is at its best. Hernandez revealed that CESA personnel have been receiving training from United States Airport Security officials and have received certificates for existing efficiency in case of an emergency.