The airport is required to conduct a full-scale exercise once every four years. (La Ronge Regional Fire Department/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

training

First responders participate in simulated emergency response exercise at airport

Dec 13, 2022 | 5:39 PM

A full-scale emergency response exercise simulated a crash landing at the La Ronge Airport on Saturday.

That’s according to airport manager Jim Burr, who explained the exercise involved members of the La Ronge Regional Fire Department, La Ronge RCMP, EMS, as well as local aircraft carriers.

“The imaginary scenario for this exercise was the aircraft had landed and the nose gear had collapsed and it skid on the runway,” he said. “There was smoke coming out of the cabin and there were passengers on board, so we proceeded to respond as though it was a real thing.”

The exercise involved more than two dozen personnel and it took approximately two hours. After the scenario was completed, participants came together for a debriefing to discuss it and what they could improve on.

Burr noted the goal of the exercise was to focus on manoeuvring procedures on the airfield and communication procedures. He believes the exercise was a success in his opinion.

Refused funding request

NDP: sex assault victims in Prince Albert at further risk due to lack of gov't funding

11h ago

CKOM Staff

Former Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield dies at age 82

16h ago

Increasing costs

Travelers face higher costs and fewer flight options as jet fuel prices swing

17h ago

“It was really good. I have actually always been really pleased with the local responding agencies, the fire department, EMS and RCMP,” Burr said. “They always do a great job out here and that was the case in the exercise too. There are always things for us to learn. That’s the point of having the exercise.”

The exercise involved first responders from the tri-communities. (La Ronge Regional Fire Department/Facebook)

As a certified airport, there are obligations to meet Canadian aviation regulations and standards regarding emergency response. A tabletop emergency response exercise is done at the La Ronge Airport yearly with the fourth year needing to be a full-scale exercise.

The La Ronge Airport is the third busiest airport in Saskatchewan. It was built in 1976 and includes eight commercial and three private hangers, a terminal building and a 24/7 air traffic control centre.

The airport is an aviation hub for northern Saskatchewan and it averages 26,000 flights per year.

“We can assure [the public] we do everything we can to be prepared for any incident,” Burr said.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

First responders participate in simulated emergency response exercise at airport

What's Trending