The BVI Airports Authority conducted two plane-crash simulation exercises last week as part of its bi-annual training in aircraft disaster preparedness.
The simulations took place at about 7:20 a.m. on Dec. 10 on Anegada and at about 11 p.m. Dec. 12 on Beef Island, according to Government Information Services.
About 95 percent of response personnel were not informed about the drill in advance, and they were asked to carry out the required emergency procedures used in the event of a real plane crash in or near to the airports, a GIS press release said.
“The BVI Airports Authority has been consistently training its personnel in preparation for this type of disaster,” said Dorinda Hamm, duty manager of the BVIAA. “The Authority is mandated by law to conduct full-scale exercises at each airport bi-annually. Throughout the year, the Authority conducts tabletop and partial exercises with internal and external personnel: This ensures that all responding agencies are kept abreast of their emergency procedures.”
Several agencies
Other government agencies used the drill to test their own response procedures, including Fire and Rescue Services, the Department of Disaster Management, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Department of Information and Public Relations.
“These exercises are absolutely necessary, and we need persons to be ready in the event of a real emergency. Even though this is the holiday season, the truth is disaster can strike at any time,” Ms. Hamm said.
A previous simulation was held on Virgin Gorda on Oct. 25.
Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering said that such drills are necessary.
“Many may not know that in the wake of recent events — accidents and forced landings — these exercises were prescheduled,” Dr. Pickering said. “Preparation is key and we recognise the importance of being prepared.”
Four days before the Anegada drill, on Dec. 6, a VI Airlink C-402 plane made a forced landing at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island after one of its three landing gears failed to deploy. Neither the pilot nor the single passenger was injured.
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