Contact: Carolyn Casey
(360) 676-2500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FULL-SCALE AIRPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXERCISE SATURDAY
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham and many community partners will conduct a full-scale airport emergency response exercise at Bellingham International Airport from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
The purpose of the disaster exercise is to test and evaluate the preparedness and capabilities of the Bellingham International Airport and local response agencies.
Although most of the drill will be staged within the airport boundaries, members of the public may see smoke, numerous emergency vehicles and unusual airport activity during the drill. The five-hour exercise, including more than 150 local volunteers and emergency responders, will evaluate coordination between agencies, mass-casualty response, public information dissemination, victim and family care, security and communications.
"Federal Aviation Administration regulations require a full-scale exercise once every three years to test an airport's emergency plan," said Art Choat, the Port of Bellingham's Airport Director. "This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to evaluate their skills."
Community volunteers taking part in the disaster exercise will be role-playing aircraft crash victims and victims' family members.
The organizations and agencies involved in the exercise include: American Red Cross-Mount Baker Chapter, Bellingham Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Horizon Air, Allegiant Air, Mutual Aid Whatcom County Fire Districts, Port of Bellingham, St. Joseph Hospital, Air Traffic Control (Federal Aviation Administration), Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management, Whatcom County Fire District #8, Medical Reserve Corps, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Transportation Security Administration, Whatcom Transportation Authority and the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County's major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, about 300 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
MEDIA NOTICE: Most of this drill will occur in locked, secure areas of the Bellingham Airport Grounds. Reporters or photographers seeking access to this drill must contact Carolyn Casey by 3 p.m. Friday to make arrangements for site access. Because of the nature and location of the drill, all media will be escorted during their event coverage to ensure their safety and the security of the facility.
