First responders train for emergencies at Columbia Regional Airport
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
First responders practiced how to respond to an aircraft emergency in Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.
Leaders conducted the four-hour training at the Columbia Regional Airport. The agencies simulated a plane crash during the exercise.
The city of Columbia, Boone County Office of Emergency Management, Boone County Fire Protection District, Southern Boone County Fire Protection District, health care personnel and law enforcement agencies participated in the training. Dozens of volunteers pretended to be victims to help with the simulation.
Airport Manager Mike Parks said the airport is required to conduct full-scale emergency training every three years. He said it's a chance for first responders to get unique training.
"Many times a lot of emergency responders don't get an opportunity to practice on an airport and so we are actually going to do this simulated emergency on the runway," Parks said prior to the training.
Officials said the training did not affect any scheduled flights.