DATE: October 23, 2009
CONTACT: Greg Meyer, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
PHONE: 954-359-6116
Rescue crews will hone their skills in a realistic disaster training exercise at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Wednesday, November 4, beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The drill will simulate the crash of a jetliner with 55 passengers and crew on board as it makes an attempt to land at the airport. The plane will come to rest on the southeast corner of airfield. A mock up of a damaged airliner will be built for the drill. Volunteers will simulate injured passengers.
It is expected that more than 150 aviation professionals, fire rescue, emergency medical, and law enforcement personnel from more than 40 agencies and businesses will participate in the exercise. A portion of the "passengers" will be transported for "medical treatment," testing the ability of several local hospitals to respond to accidents with multiple victims.
Airport Perimeter Road Closure
During the disaster drill training, Perimeter Road will be closed between the Broward County Aviation Department, 100 Aviation Boulevard, and Gulfstream International Airlines, 1550 S.W. 43rd Street, between the hours of 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
The south entrance to the airport from Griffin Road will be closed during the drill. Therefore, there will be no access to the Cell Phone waiting area from Griffin Road during the training exercise.
Note to News Media
Members of the news media covering the event should report to the Broward County Aviation Department Administrative Office complex at 100 Aviation Boulevard no later than 5:30 p.m. There will be a media sign-in to obtain a Drill Identification Badge prior to proceeding to the Media Staging Area on the southeast corner of the airfield.
In the interest of safety, the media will be required to remain in the observer area unless escorted by the Public Information Officer.
Media are asked to advise their readers, viewers and listeners that they may see what appears to be an aircraft incident at the intersection of Runways 13/31 and 27L/9R during the evening hours of Wednesday, November 4, and that this is a training exercise.
For more information please contact: 100 Aviation Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, phone 954-336-2847.
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