Press release Asheville Regional Airport:
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) will be conducting a full-scale safety training exercise May 11, 2021.
The training is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and serves to prepare a number of emergency services partners for an aircraft incident at AVL, from planning and communication to response and triage. The drill will take place near the north side of the airport.
“This exercise allows Asheville Regional Airport to engage our team and our mutual aid partners in training to prepare for an aircraft incident or other significant emergency,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director. “Safety is our first priority, and training is extremely important.”
“This is a hands-on drill, with a live fire burn that will simulate a true aviation emergency,” said AVL Chief Samuel Sales. “The exercise will give emergency personnel a true-to-life setting in which to perform the job they’ve been trained to do, and other airport personnel will be practicing behind-the-scenes crisis response.”
A full-scale drill is conducted at least once every three years, as required by the FAA. This year’s drill will be smaller than in previous years, due to COVID protocols. However, community members may notice fire, smoke and emergency vehicle response near the north side of the airport.
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