Perth Airport tests emergency response capabilities
Today Perth Airport tested its response to a simulated aviation emergency, including coordination between emergency services, airport teams and aviation partners.
Conducting these exercises allows teams to evaluate procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
More than 100 volunteers participated in today’s exercise, role-playing passengers involved in an in-flight emergency that resulted in an emergency landing at Perth Airport.
The exercise also tested Passenger Reception at an offsite location, which would support the reunification of passengers with family and friends following an emergency.
Today’s exercise demonstrated the strength of the partnerships that underpin aviation safety and emergency response across Western Australia.
The following should be attributed to Scott Woodward, Chief Operating Officer, Perth Airport
“Safety and security are our highest priorities at Perth Airport, and regular emergency exercises are a critical part of ensuring we are prepared to respond effectively to any incident.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, staff and the wider community is at the centre of everything we do, which is why maintaining a high level of emergency preparedness is so important.
“Strong collaboration with emergency services and government agencies is essential to our preparedness, and today's exercise demonstrated the strength of the partnerships that underpin aviation safety and emergency response across Western Australia.
“I would like to thank all participating agencies, volunteers and aviation partners for their support. Their professionalism and commitment help ensure Perth Airport remains prepared to respond safely and effectively in the event of an emergency.”
The following should be attributed to WA Police Force Acting Commander Manus WALSH
"Exercises like this provide the WA Police Force with an important opportunity to train alongside our emergency service and aviation partners. While we hope such an incident never eventuates, exercising together helps ensure agencies are prepared to deliver an effective and coordinated response when required."
The following should be attributed to Perth Aerodrome Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Service Line Leader Geoff Toms
“Airservices Australia is proud to participate in the simulated aviation emergency alongside our valued partners.
“It’s a great opportunity for Airservices to showcase our ARFF capability and our unwavering commitment to protecting the travelling public, airport workers and everyone who uses the aviation network.
“ARFF is the only national fire service in the country. As a rapid intervention, first-response service, we respond within minutes to provide aviation rescue and fire fighting services at 27 of Australia’s busiest airports, operating a fleet of more than 100 of the largest fire fighting vehicles in the country.
“Our people are on standby across the country every day, ready to save lives, assist those in distress and respond to aircraft incidents and other emergencies at airports. The safety of people will always be our highest priority.”
The following should be attributed to AFP Inspector Chris Colley, Aviation Operations
“Strong partnerships are at the heart of aviation security and through close collaboration on training scenarios, the AFP can contribute to maintaining the safety and security of travellers at airports across the country.”
The following should be attributed to Lauren Davids - General Manager Clinical & Operational Excellence, St John
“Emergency exercises give us the opportunity to test our plans in a realistic environment, understand how agencies will coordinate, and identify any gaps that need to be addressed. That preparation is critical to ensuring we are ready to support the community when it matters most.”
“In a major aviation emergency, an effective response depends on every organisation understanding its role and being able to work as one team. Preparing for the worst means we can respond more calmly, confidently and effectively when people need us most.”
The following should be attributed to a WA Health spokesperson
“These exercises are an important opportunity for us to coordinate with emergency response partners and test plans in a realistic environment.
“The Department of Health will continue to work closely with Perth Airport, St John WA, and our emergency services partners to ensure there are clear arrangements in place to respond to a major incident and support people who may require medical care.
While we hope these plans are never required, preparedness is critical to ensuring the health system can respond quickly, safely, and effectively when the community needs it most.”