Redding Airport conducts full-scale emergency exercise to test disaster-readiness

The Redding Regional Airport successfully conducted an emergency training exercise last Friday to test the disaster-readiness of local emergency personnel and airport staff. 

Conducting the event, called a Mass-Casualty Incident training, is a requirement for every commercial airport once every three years to ensure that emergency responders and airport staff are prepared in the event of a plane crash or other major accident. 

During the exercise, emergency personnel reacted in real time to put out a fire on a plane prop, conduct rescues and tend to “injured” victims. Students from Enterprise High School played the roles of accident victims for the scenario. A helicopter was also flown in to simulate medical air transport.

The event was held on a U.S. Forest Service ramp at the far end of the airport. It was not open to the public, but several officials from Redding and neighboring municipalities attended to observe, along with the media. 

Airport Manager Andrew Solsvig said today over email that the event was a “big success.” Ken Griggs, the airport’s assistant manager, explained that the Federal Aviation Administration requires a response to the accident scene within three minutes for emergencies involving aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel. During last week’s exercise, first responders met this requirement, he said. 

Solsvig added that there will be a follow-up meeting with various agencies to review what areas went well and which need improvement. 

At the event, Redding Fire Department Battalion Chief Justin Smith said the exercise is a great way for emergency responders to identify areas they need to improve upon so that they can be as prepared as possible if a major accident does take place. 

“These challenging incidents give us an opportunity to vet our system in a way that we can apply to other incidents, whether that will be a major vehicle crash or a significant fire.”

Agencies involved in the event included the Redding Police and Fire Departments, Cal Fire, airport staff and local ambulance companies and hospitals. Students who participated are part of a high school program that gives them the chance to familiarize themselves with fire department operations, Smith said, adding that the program is an “investment in the future of the industry.” 

See more photos of the MCI training exercise below.

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