Emergency responders put through their paces during Shannon Airport exercise
EMERGENCY responders were put through their paces during a major emergency crash exercise at Shannon Airport.
The response of the airport, emergency agencies and other key stakeholders was tested during the exercise which recreated a major aircraft accident at the airport.
The two-hour exercise, code-named ‘Exercise Juliet,’ was based on a fictitious incident involving a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 100 passengers and 10 crew on board declaring a full emergency and diverting to Shannon.
The simulation also involved the participants being told that the aircraft might have to ditch into the Shannon Estuary.
The exercise was also an opportunity to test the airport’s state-of-the-art High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) fire tenders.
“Using cutting edge technology and equipped with thermal imaging cameras, these HRET’s allow firefighters to identify the hottest part of the aircraft, vital knowledge that is needed to suppress and extinguish aviation fires as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Mr Maloney added.
Participating agencies included Shannon Airport, Clare County Council Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, the Irish Coast Guard, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Shannon Foynes Port Authority.
Mr Moloney stressed the safety of passengers, customer airlines and staff is paramount to the airport and that the exercise tests readiness for a real-life situation should it ever occur.
“It is about ensuring that, if the worst-case scenario happens, we and our colleagues in the other attending emergency services are adequately prepared to respond.”