THE Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) on Thursday conducted a Live, Full-Scale Emergency Response Exercise, which is required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the preparedness and capabilities of the airport, its tenants, and local response agencies.
During the exercise, crucial operational methods such as rescue methods, security posture, operational procedures, processing, and triage of injured victims were assessed.
The exercise included a staged aircraft and fire demonstration.
More than 20 agencies and organisations from the public and private sectors were involved, including first responders and airport personnel.
Approximately 40 volunteer actors participated as disaster victims and survivors.
Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Egbert Field said that this exercise is extremely important when it comes to aviation, and the safety and security of the flying public.
“Exercises like these really help the airport, the fire service, the medic, and all the parties involved to learn what they may not be able to practise in the real situation,” Field said.
He added: “They learn from this, so that when it actually happens, they are properly coordinated, and able to provide the kind of service which is required. This exercise helps the stakeholders with coordination, and to identify who does what and also helps the passengers, the flying public to get assistance as quickly as possible.”
Jack McGovern, a Battalion Chief in charge of emergency management, training, and health and safety for the city of Fredericksburg in Virginia, USA, has been assisting with the exercise since 2006.
“Today was another successful exercise; it has been about three years since I’ve been down here due to the ‘COVID’ pandemic. My last trip was March of 2019, and I am pleased to report that things have not gone backwards, but have remained the same or even better … [have] moved forward in all or part of the agencies responsible for the response to mass casualties here at the airport,” McGovern said.
