Published on 23 May 2023
Don’t be surprised if you hear and see lots of sirens and flashing lights at the Lismore Regional Airport on Wednesday morning (24 May), it may seem like a life-threatening emergency, but it’s not.
It’s all part of an important emergency exercise as part of Council’s ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness. The exercise will take place on Wednesday, 24 May at 10am and aims to test specific aspects of the Airports Emergency Plan.
The exercise will involve several emergency agencies, including the NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigade, Rural Fire Service, NSW Ambulance, SES, Red Cross and Lismore City Council. The primary goal is to coordinate these organisations in line with the Airport’s Emergency Plan and assess the adequacy of the procedures and facilities provided.
Council’s Chief Operating Officer Brendan Logan said this important safety exercise emphasises the airport’s commitment to preparedness and emergency response.
“The exercise is designed to replicate a realistic scenario, enabling all agencies to showcase their response capabilities and ensure seamless coordination. We are confident that this exercise will further enhance our emergency response capabilities,” he said.
The exercise will include activities such as ‘making safe’ procedures, simulated emergency egress, medical interventions and foam blanket practice.
To create a realistic scenario, a Beechcraft Baron aircraft with simulated damage will be used in the exercise. Actors and mannequins will simulate specific injuries.
The exercise will take place on the airport runway, requiring a temporary closure for a period of three hours.
It is important to note that this exercise is not a real-life emergency.
The emergency exercise is an essential component of Lismore Regional Airport’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards. The insights gained from this exercise will contribute to the continuous improvement of emergency response procedures, ensuring the safety of all airport users.