First responders practice for plane crash

Sept. 20--Three bodies laid Thursday about 50 feet from where firefighters from the Salina Airport Authority's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station sprayed foam and water on an airplane that supposedly had crashed.

As the foam covered the ground and the water moved toward one of the bodies, Salina Airport Authority Director Tim Rogers tapped the man on the shoulder and told him he should move, so he wouldn't get wet.

Up jumped the man in his 20s, and he moved about 20 feet away from the foam. The others followed suit, moving away from the foam and water then getting back down on the ground.

So much for being dead.

While the drama playing out on the tarmac Thursday morning wasn't exactly realistic, Rogers said the possibility of a plane crashing at the airport is very real, and it's important for first responders to be prepared.

"We want first-responder agencies to practice for an actual aircraft accident at the airport," Rogers said.

He said Thursday's exercise was a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration; airports must hold exercises every three years to be certified.

"We have spent the better part of the last year making changes to the airport's emergency response plan, having discussions and planning this exercise," Rogers said.

Involved in the exercise were the Salina Fire Department, the airport's firefighting station, Kansas Highway Patrol, Salina Police Department, Saline County Sheriff's Office, Salina Regional Health Center, Saline County Emergency Management, Kansas Department of Emergency Management, Red Cross and others.

Hannah Furbeck, director of Saline County Emergency Management, said the incident fulfills everyone's training needs.

"We are killing five birds with one stone," Furbeck said. "It is cost effective and you have to practice with your partners."

The incident

Furbeck said the incident was designed as a plane crash that would test the capabilities of different first responders.

According to information provided by the airport authority, the crash involved Blue Sky Flight 55, which had 27 people on board. The plane was supposedly flying from Salina to Kansas City and crashed about 8 a.m. while attempting an emergency landing, killing three and injuring several passengers.

A mock news release indicated that the passengers included a "local community group traveling by plane to Kansas City before continuing on to Argentina for a mission trip."

Firefighters treated the injured at the scene and moved the bodies of the three dead passengers. The injured were taken to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment.

Media were allowed near the scene while firefighters treated five of the injured. ARFF firefighters continued spraying the plane, which was brought from Crisis City.

"Getting out and participating in this exercise and making the communications systems and interacting between agencies makes us better," Rogers said.

Rogers said planes have crashed at Salina Regional Airport in the past but he couldn't remember the last one. He said there have been only minor injuries in recent years.

"Airports have accidents, just like our streets, highways, and the training that was put into practice helps first responders practice," Rogers said.

Fixing issues

While first responders worked, monitors watched the exercise and took notes. Furbeck evaluated the performance after it was over.

"We try to practice how we play," Furbeck said. "We do what we would in a real event. We can plan around the table all we want but until you do it, you cannot find what is wrong and needs to be fixed."

Rogers said real-world incidents, such as a recent plane crash in San Francisco, help the airports develop the exercises.

"We study accidents and other events because it serves as a reminder," Rogers said. "We learn from other locations and events to learn not to make those mistakes here. You try to do better for when your time comes."

Roger said practicing help the first responders but it is hard to tell what will happen when a real event occurs.

"A simulated exercise tests written-down protocols that are to be implemented," Rogers said. "Even in a simulated exercise, there is some sense of confusion or someone doesn't understand their role or how to accomplish their task. That is what these exercises test. The difference between an event like this and the real thing is more stressful and confusing. We do this to get better."

-- Reporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by email at chunter@salina.com.

Copyright 2013 - The Salina Journal, Kan.