BIRMINGHAM, AL - As required by the FAA, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport will host its triennial disaster drill on Saturday, May 9, 2009. An emergency call will out to all agencies mid-morning on Saturday indicating the beginning of the drill. The mock-aircraft incident will take place on airfield. More than 100 volunteers simulating the victims of the accident will be scattered in and around the site of the mock event.
The objective of the exercise is to maintain a high level of proficiency on the part of all of the professional airport, fire-rescue, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel that would respond to a real airplane-related emergency. Many of these personnel are professionals working for Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and others are affiliated with fire and rescue facilities with the City of Birmingham and other local organizations.
Media is invited to attend the emergency drill. A special viewing area will be set up on the airfield and can be accessed from East Lake Blvd, Gate 1. All marked media vehicles and personnel will be authorized to enter the viewing area and are asked to be in place by 8:30 a.m. In addition, access will be made available to the volunteer make up area at 6:30 a.m. in the old Terminal A and be available until the start of the drill.
Please note that in order to maintain the integrity of such a test-situation as well as response-time of associated agencies, prior general-public notice of the event is discouraged. Airport Operations will continue throughout the exercise and regularly scheduled flights will not be affected.