Full-Scale Emergency Exercise

Meridian, MS- The Meridian Regional Airport participated in a full-scale emergency response exercise to confirm that everything is good in response times to emergencies.

“We are required by the FAA to exercise this to show that we’re proficient in our communication or our response to any aircraft emergency” says Paul Smith: Director of facilities and operations.

During the exercise, different emergency scenarios are set up for the responders to get under control. Paul believes the response time gets better with each tri-annual event. “The response time was awesome, the tower got the notifications out really quick, the international guard responded properly, all the support agencies responded to the staging area, and when requested by the fire chief, we were on site really quick.”

Paul also expresses the importance of following the chain of command in times of emergency. “It’s very important, if you don’t have a chain of command, you don’t have a structure.”

The Meridian Airport says today’s practice was a successful practice with a great response time, and a good report.