The runway of the University Park Airport was filled with flames and the sound of blaring sirens on Wednesday.
Although it was just an emergency drill with no real danger, there was a sense of tension as area fire companies battled the blaze engulfing the plane that “crash landed” on the runway.
“This year, we have a mock mobile aircraft training module from West Virginia University to simulate various fires from the engine and the brakes,” says University Park Airport director Bryan Rodgers. “We want these things to be as realistic as possible so we have the best training for our emergency responders.”
In addition to the airport’s emergency crews, fire companies from State College, Bellefonte and Port Matilda were on scene. Police and EMS staff from local municipalities were on scene treating the wounded, and the Centre County Coroner was also on hand to make the tough calls.
Rodgers says these training exercises happen once every three years, as required by the Federal Aviation Commission. But he’s quick to stress that these drills aren’t just about obtaining some certification or fulfilling some requirement.
“It helps to demonstrate to the community that the University Park Airport takes emergency response very seriously,” Rodgers says. “We have very capable people at the airport and at our local agencies, and we want to demonstrate to everyone what our capabilities are to keep our passengers safe.”
