RGIA undertakes mock test with real aircraft!

RGIA undertakes mock test with real aircraft!
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Highlights

As a spectacle it was awe-inspiring, one that left the onlooker aghast because it dazzled in the midnightsky almost unannounced. On the completion of the ‘operation’, there was all-round applause for the expertise and acumen of Indian brains.

As a spectacle it was awe-inspiring, one that left the onlooker aghast because it dazzled in the midnightsky almost unannounced. On the completion of the ‘operation’, there was all-round applause for the expertise and acumen of Indian brains.

The “Full-scale Night Mock Emergency Exercise” was carried out at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in the wee hours of Friday. What made the mock-drill that much of a celebration was that real aircraft were used for the purpose! The 150-munite exercise involved more than 500 participants from multiple agencies and volunteers who all were designated roles and responsibilities suiting their areas of specialisations.

The ‘mock emergency’ exercise was undertaken from 11pm to 1.30am so that normal airport operations would not be disturbed. Consequently, RGIA achieved the distinction of being the first airport in the country to conduct such an exercise by using real aircraft.

The night was exhilarating considering that an Airbus-320 like aircraft of IndiGo Airlines, the partner airline in the exercise, was used. The carrier is confronted with hydraulic problems after it crashes on the runway while landing with passengers and crew on board. The ever-alert Air Traffic Controller activates the crash alarm while declaring ‘Crash Action’. The Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) immediately responded to the call and reached at the crash site and started the exercise. Meanwhile, after receiving information, the concerned agencies rushed to the spot.

The entire exercise was in accordance with ICCAO and DGCA guidelines to test the airport’s emergency preparedness. The scenario depicted passengers with severe injuries, minor injuries, casualties and un-injured. The exercise focused on treating and shifting the passengers to hospitals based on their conditions, as well as making the area safe for operations.

Such a scenario gave the entire rescue operations team a real time experience to meet with any eventualities and to study the preparedness of the airport in times of airport emergency in night time. Other than IndiGo, Telangana State Police, Telangana Fire department, AAI, Staff of RR Dist Collector’s office, hospitals, ambulance services, Telangana State Disaster Response, Immigration, Customs, CISF, BCAS and GHIAL personnel were involved in the ‘operation.’

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