Sangster airport to stage emergency simulation exercise on Wednesday

MBJ Airports Limited, the operator of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, is advising the public that it will conduct a full-scale emergency simulation exercise at the facility on Wednesday, November 4.

The exercise, dubbed Exercise Red Falcon, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. and last approximately two hours.

MBJ says the simulation will involve an aircraft safety incident and require a coordinated response from its Emergency Response Services and its mutual aid partners, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The airport says the exercise is being conducted in keeping with the requirements of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organization, which mandate a full-scale emergency exercise every two years.

The airport's last full-scale emergency exercise was held in October 2024.

The exercise will assess all aspects of MBJ’s Emergency Response Plan and test the effectiveness of coordination between the airport and the country's principal first-response agencies.

Volunteers will participate as actors in the simulated scenario, allowing first responders to practise key procedures, including cordoning, crowd control, triage, treatment and transportation of casualties.

MBJ says all participants were expected to carry out their roles as realistically as possible.

The airport operator is advising the public that any emergency activity observed at the facility during the scheduled period will be part of the planned exercise and will not indicate an actual emergency.

Airport operations are expected to continue as normal throughout the simulation.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.