Airport to conduct emergency test April 17

If you see an unusual number of emergency vehicles at Richmond International Airport April 17, don't be alarmed – it's just a drill.

The airport will conduct a full-scale emergency response exercise April 17 beginning at approximately 1 p.m.

As mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, airports must conduct full-scale tests of their airport emergency plans every three years. Such drills not only test the AEP but also create a real-time practice environment for multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional response coordination that would be necessary in the event of an actual incident.

The airport anticipates no impact to normal operations during the emergency response exercise. RIC will post signs in the terminal building and broadcast announcements over the public address system in the terminal building to advise airport customers that an emergency response simulation is in progress.

Multiple scenarios will test emergency response and coordination during the event. Among possible participants in the exercise are: RIC Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting, RIC Police and other airport staff and management representatives, JetBlue Airways and other airline representatives, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Henrico Division of Fire, Henrico Division of Police, Hanover Division of Fire, Chesterfield Fire & EMS Department, Richmond Fire & EMS Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, the American Red Cross, FAA Air Traffic Control Tower, the Transportation Security Administration, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Health (including the Medical Examiner’s office), Virginia Department of Fire Programs, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Community Emergency Response Teams from Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond.