BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 11.2018 – SMOKE bellowed from a section of the FT Williams Highway, the cries of pain and anguish, injured persons laid across the main road, in the drains and even in the bushes as police officers diverted traffic, firemen and emergency medical officials work to aid the injured.
That was the scene as officials put the emergency plan of action of the RLB International Airport into action, in a simulated plane crash that left many pondering.
As part of activities for Phase 1 of the 2018 Exercise Tradewinds operations in Basseterre, the entire event was staged to check the preparedness, response time and monitor how St. Kitts and Nevis will respond to a plane crash.
Airport Manager, Ellsworth Warner, told SKNVibes News that yesterday’s exercise simulated a plane headed to Antigua and Barbuda, but diverted to St. Kitts and Nevis owing to technical problems and crash landed before making the runway.
“We were testing the airport emergency plan and the scenario we used was a plane crash and we wanted to test as many aspects of the plan as it relates to that type of crash. And so we simulated that type of crash…On board was 290 passengers; prior to crashing all of the various responding agencies were alerted and upon crashing they got to the scene.”
Upon arriving on scene, all operations began including the setting up of Command Post and the Emergency Operation Centers
Despite that though, the operations received mixed feedback from the personnel during assessment.
Warner told SKNVibes News that based on the responses they garnered, they were good in some areas and bad in others.
“We recognized that there were areas that we have to make improvements in any case, and we are happy that we did the exercise. Where we fell down, we will try to make the necessary changes as soon as possible, and where we did very well we will try to maintain that and even do better.”
Pressed for specific areas that need improvements, Warner pointed out that the Emergency Operation Center was one such that did not gain favourable response.
He explained that they were told that the space used is too small and that additional equipment is needed, whilst further training needs to be undertaken.
“Well that is something that we will look at,” he said.
When it comes to the commendations, the airport boss revealed that the actions of the air traffic control, fire services and health were top areas.
He said when it comes health, they were prompt; but the handling of the traffic flow, though it was a simulation exercise came into focus.
“We also looked at the response of the police, but there can be some improvement in that area. But I think we lack a bit in that area because we didn’t want to stop the traffic totally. In a real situation, we know that no one would be able to enter that area.”
An overall passing grade was given to the response and preparedness of the operation, but according to Warner there is an opportunity for further improvements.
