The Mount Gambier Regional Airport recently conducted a practical emergency exercise utilising an unserviceable Jetstream 100 fuselage.
The exercise was designed to test the response of the local emergency services, and in particular the effectiveness of the current Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).
Airport manager Nick Serle reported on the simulation ‘Exercise Shortfall’ to the Grant District Council at its July monthly meeting.
He said the training was based on improvements identified in previous exercises.
“This was done instead of a staging point at the airport in an effort to simulate a more realistic timeline,” Mr Serle said.
It was a collaborative effort between members of the South Australian Police, South Australian Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Fire Service, Country Fire Service, State Emergency Service, REX Airlines, Qantas and airport management and staff.
“It is a requirement that live exercises be conducted at least biennially commensurate with the size and operations at the airport,” Mr Serle said.
“The exercise provided the attending emergency services with an excellent opportunity to test their emergency procedures, training and inter-agency communication and cooperation.
“It was apparent that most personnel in attendance had some awareness of the AEP, as well as their roles and responsibilities.”
The scenario included a 19-seater aircraft with one pilot and four passengers on board and was operated by Limestone Coast Airways.
“It was a recommendation from previous exercises that use of a real fuselage would provide emergency services with a far more realistic depiction of an aircraft closer to the size of a regular passenger flight that services Mount Gambier,” Mr Serle said.
Just before touchdown, the aircraft was “hit by wind shear” which hypothetically caused it to “crash land” on the side of the runway.
“The dangers of airside movements were made very clear prior to commencement of the exercise, and as result, all crews moved safely once inside the airport perimeter,” Mr Serle said.
“Exercise Shortfall engaged all attending personnel in a meaningful exercise that was a valuable learning experience, particularly to those unfamiliar with the airport.
“Excellent interagency cooperation, communication and collaboration resulted in the incident being effectively managed and completed in a timely manner.”
The exercise was attended by a total of 77 participants.
“Those who participated in the exercise should be commended for their professionalism throughout the event, and for their willingness to participate, especially those performing volunteer roles,” Mr Serle said.
“The emergency services at Mount Gambier work well together to achieve common goals with minimal disruptions.
“All attending agencies took on their roles seriously, enabling the exercise to progress through to conclusion, with a high regard to safety of all persons in attendance.”
The exercise report tabled a number of recommendations including holding Airport Airside Familiarisation sessions, particularly for those with little experience in an aviation airside environment.
Other recommendations included providing simulated medical observations to casualties and a CFS gas fire to provide a “more realistic” simulation of a real emergency event.
