By It might look like there’s an emergency at Aberdeen Regional Airport on Tuesday, June 9, but all the sirens and lights will be part of a simulated exercise.
A mock disaster drill will begin around 8:30 a.m. Aberdeen Fire & Rescue and ambulance crews, the Aberdeen Police Department, Brown County coroner, Brown County Emergency Management, Avera St. Luke’s, Sanford Aberdeen Regional Hospital, Ride Line, Delta Air Lines and the National Weather Service will all be involved.
A disaster simulation drill related to a CRJ200 regional jet emergency is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at Aberdeen Regional Airport. A bus filled with hay bales will be used instead of an actual jet. Wikipedia commons photo
Aberdeen Transportation Director Rich Krokel said the exercise will simulate a crash of a CRJ200 regional jet with 42 passengers. The crew aboard the jet will notice an issue with the left side landing gear, which will collapse upon touchdown, according to the details of the simulation. That collapse will lead to ruptured fuel cells and an immediate fire.
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A bus filled with hay bales will be used to simulate the jet, and volunteers will simulate a variety of injuries. That will allow emergency personnel to assess and prioritize treatment of injuries using triage protocols. Those with the most serious injuries will be taken by ambulance to one of the two hospitals.
The simulation, which is required three years, is expected to last about two hours.
Volunteers who are willing to pose as injured passengers can sign up by emailing abrexercise2023@gmail.com or calling the airport at 605-626-7020. Name and contact information should be provided, and all volunteers must be 18 or have parental consent.
