By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org
Ford International Airport held a Full-Scale Exercise on June 20 featuring 19 local and state agencies and approximately 200 individuals, including volunteers and first responders. The International Airport Authority training exercises were designed to simulate an emergency event in order to evaluate emergency response plans.
The Full-Scale Exercise, mandated every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration, involved first responders extinguishing fires, supporting volunteers simulating injuries, directing responders, and more.
“Simulating an emergency event is integral for our team and mutual aid partners to be equipped with the necessary protocols for an emergency response plan,” said Airport Authority Fire Chief Tony Gutierrez. “It’s important that we continuously fine-tune our emergency response plans to ensure the safety of our passengers and community.”
Agencies Involved: GFIAA Fire Department, GFIAA Police Department, GFIAA Operations, GFIAA Maintenance, GFIAA Administration, GFIAA Communications, Kentwood Fire Department, Cascade Fire Department, Kent County Emergency Management, Dutton Fire Department, Caledonia Fire Department, Life EMS, AMR Ambulance, Rockford Ambulance, Kent County Emergency Medical Services, American Red Cross, Southwest Airlines, Kentwood Police Department, Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Kent County Emergency Services Team (KEST), Medical Reserve Corp, FAA Traffic Tower Control Tower and Kent County Dispatch.
