Queenstown Airport to conduct annual emergency exercise

On Wednesday, 5 December 2007 at 6pm, Queenstown’s Emergency Services will test themselves as to their readiness for an airport emergency.


Co-ordinated by the Queenstown Airport’s Rescue Fire and Operational Staff, the exercise will involve a simulation of an aircraft crash onto the Shotover Delta. The exercise will be preceded by a table top run through.


The aim is to test and evaluate the Airport Emergency Plan as well as the response of local emergency services to such an emergency.


The airport’s purpose built Emergency Operations Centre will be utilised by Emergency Service Coordinators for the first time since it was upgraded.


Queenstown Airport CEO, Steve Sanderson said it will be a good test of inter agency communication and capability, involving the Queenstown Airport Corporation, Rescue Fire Staff, Police, Fire Service, St John, Aviation Security, Airlines and Customs.


He says independent observers will report to a debriefing on the effectiveness of the plan which is renewed annually.


He emphasises that it is an exercise, not a test and normal Health and Safety procedures will be observed including Emergency Vehicles travelling at normal road speed.