A multi-agency emergency training tabletop exercise took place at Ireland West Airport recently. The purpose of the exercise was to review the readiness of the airport and agencies in dealing with major incidents and to allow them to learn valuable information on how to respond in the event of a major emergency. Those involved in the exercise included An Garda Siochana, Mayo County Council Fire Service, the Health Services Executive (HSE), the Air Accident Investigation Unit, the Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue, Bristow Helicopters, the Irish Aviation Authority and the Department of Transport. Irish Coast Guard AW189 EI-IRS based at Sligo attended the exercise and demonstrated some of the equipment carried on board.
Under EASA Regulations aerodrome operators are required to ensure their emergency plans are tested with a full-scale aerodrome emergency exercise at intervals not exceeding two years and partial emergency exercises in the intervening year.
