This coming Saturday, the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad and first responder agencies will be putting their skills to the test in an exercise designed to simulate an airplane crash at the Virginia Tech airport. Open to members of the public, who will be able to observe from a sectioned off area, the exercise will feature participation by first responders from the Blacksburg Fire Department, Shawsville Rescue Squad, and LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery, with the Virginia Tech Police Department and Office of Emergency Management also playing a role. An additional 30 volunteers will be participating in the role of “victims”, wearing make-up designed to simulate injuries.
In existence since 1969, the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad has roughly 40 student members, and handles approximately 1200 calls a year. This event is intended to give them a chance to give them and other first responders a chance to train and work together. Observes Chris Eyestone, a junior from Blacksburg and Virginia Tech Rescue squad chief, “It just makes sense that with such marked university growth on the horizon, including the runway expansion project, that we prepare for the type of scenario that could very likely happen at our airport one day”.
Source:
http://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/03/031416-adm-policerescuedrillairport.html
