A full-scale emergency exercise will be held at the Lincoln Airport on Tuesday. Communications Director Rachel Barth says anyone near the airport could see smoke and flames and a lot of emergency vehicles. “You will see fire trucks, ambulances, police from LPD and the county,” says airport Communications Director Rachel Barth. “We have our own police force at the airport so they will be there as well. We will be blocking of some areas for the controlled burn.
This year’s scenario will focus on the dangers associated with airport terminal ramp operations to include collisions between aircraft and vehicles and the threat of fuel spills, fire and injuries as a result. “Our combined goal is to exercise community emergency response plans and capabilities so the Lincoln Airport and supporting entities are best prepared to handle worst-case scenarios related to the traveling public,” Barth says.
She says Union College students will be made up to look like burn victims. Barth says they will start around 9:00 a.m. and the drill should be wrapped up by 1:00 p.m.
Agencies taking part in the exercise are the Lincoln-Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Lincoln Fire and rescue, Lincoln Police Dept., Nebraska Air National Guard, Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, City of Lincoln Radio Shop, United Airlines, Duncan Aviation and Union College.
The Lincoln airport will remain open and operational during the exercise. For the safety and security of the exercise, the public’s safety and to avoid interference with the importance of the exercise, community members are asked to avoid the area north of LNK terminal where the exercise will be taking place.