LAX conducts AirEx initiative

Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX’s) 2019 Air Exercise (AirEx) attracted nearly 200 first responders, who participated in the simulation designed to test the airport’s airfield  accident readiness.

“The safety and security of our guests is paramount and this exercise allows our staff and our partners, including the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Airport Police and federal agencies, to practice in real time the skills they will need if a major incident were to occur,” Keith Wilschetz, deputy executive director, Operations and Emergency Management, LAWA, said. “The AirEx, which is just one of the numerous ways our teams train for emergencies throughout the year, is our largest full-scale training exercise, and will result in better coordination and enhanced readiness for all involved.”

The overarching goal was to evaluate the operational capability and readiness of LAX’s incident management and emergency response system in an environment in which people, equipment and materials are mobilized and deployed.

The simulation consisted of an aircraft’s emergency landing, followed by a fire in which 150 volunteers role-played accident victims while wearing moulage – special effects makeup applied to simulate injuries. The exercise was monitored by a number of professional evaluators and nearly 300 observers were also on hand to learn from the large-sale training.

“The most important thing we do is respond to emergencies,” Capt. II Erik Scott, public information officer, Los Angeles Fire Department, said. “The second most important thing we do is train for them, and this full scale emergency exercise is as good as they come. This real-time drill ensures successful interoperability between key agencies during an aircraft accident on the airfield, ensuring we provide the best emergency service possible to those we proudly serve.”