‘Full Scale’ Disaster Drill to be Conducted at Barnstable Airport Today

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
The tower at Barnstable Municipal Airport.

BARNSTABLE – The Barnstable Municipal Airport will conduct what they call a “full scale disaster drill” on airport grounds today at 5 p.m.

The exercise will simulate a scenario in which emergency crews respond to an airplane accident.

Airport officials said that the drill will test their emergency response plan, and police, fire, Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals, US Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Aeronautics Division, Airlines and Emergency Management will all play a role.

Fire departments will be setting fire to several junk cars as part of the simulation, and volunteers will be on hand to play the roles of injured accident victims. They will be transported to Cape Cod Hospital for mock medical care.

The airport has also issued a warning to drivers who will be in the area during the drill that active police, fire and helicopter activity will be near the rotary.

The facility will be fully functional during the exercise.