A full scale emergency simulation exercise took place at the Hewanorra International Airport to test the state of readiness of emergency responders in the south of the island.

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) holds such an exercise at the airport every two years.

The mid-morning exercise simulated the crash landing of a jetliner carrying over 120 passengers, with heavy casualties. Fire trucks from the Hewanorra International Airport were first to respond, to contain the expected blaze and to attend to passengers.

Edgar Stephen, Airport Manager of the Hewanorra International Airport said the scenario was created to test how first responders from emergency services in the south of the island dealt with emergency situations.

Ausbert Regis, the Simulation Exercise Director, explained that evaluators were present to monitor the fire services, police, emergency response agencies, and the management of the airport on the execution of prescribed emergency plans. This was also a test of the EOC, the Emergency Operations Centre manned by airport management.

The notes of local and regional evaluators were taken into consideration, and a debriefing followed.

SLASPA holds regular emergency simulations at both airports on the island.