Emergency Mock Training Exercise at YYC

September 12, 2014   |  

A mock emergency response training exercise will take place this evening at Calgary International Airport (YYC). The exercise, which will simulate the crash of the fictitious ‘Vega Airlines,’ will give multiple agencies the opportunity to practice their emergency response plans. The exercise will also test the coordination and communication between airport, airline and emergency agencies that would be involved in the event of an aircraft incident.

“Full-scale emergency training exercises are essential in practicing our well-developed emergency response plans,” said Garth Atkinson, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “In addition to these important training exercises, The Calgary Airport Authority has a number of programs in place that are focused on working with various partners throughout the year to ensure the safety of our employees, partners and travelling public.”

The exercise incident will be mocked up on YYC’s airfield with a number of emergency response agencies reporting to the scene. There will also be activity in the Air Terminal Building with behind-the-scenes emergency coordination activities providing support to the incident and handling simulated public inquiries. Alaska Airlines will be testing their emergency response plan by playing the role of Vega Airlines. Over 75 volunteers from the airport community will play the role of passengers on the airfield and as meeters and greeters in the terminal building.

Numerous government and support agencies will be responding including Alberta Health Services, the Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Emergency Management Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Transit, Emergency Medical Services, NAV CANADA, the Transportation Safety Board and US Customs and Border Protection.

The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. The Calgary Airport Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of Calgary International (YYC) and Springbank (YBW) Airports. YYC is an important economic engine for the city, region and province, generating over $6 billion per annum in economic activity.