And Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Emergency Exercise at Rockhampton Airport

Rockhampton Airport is holding an emergency exercise on next Wednesday 21 May and needs volunteers between 9am and 2pm to simulate a real-life situation.

Photo taken by Phil M  ©

This is the Airport's biennial Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) field exercise, designed to test the effectiveness of the Airport’s Emergency Plan and the response from local emergency services by simulating a possible aircraft disaster scenario.

This year, the emergency scenario will involve a passenger aircraft experiencing landing gear failure, which results in the aircraft’s wing skidding along the runway causing a fire to erupt in the fuel tank.  The exercise will be staged on the secondary runway (04/22) which will be closed to all operations on the day of the exercise.

On the exercise day, emergency response agencies will be present in various areas of the Airport.  Airport users and visitors are advised not to be alarmed by this.  Airport Management will be broadcasting recurring messages over the Terminal PA system and displaying signage.

If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any friends or relatives that may be interested in volunteering, Rocky Council would truly appreciate your/their participation. All volunteers will also be entered into the draw for a chance to win a prize!

Volunteers will be required at the airport from 9:00am to commence preparation for the exercise.  A briefing and morning tea will be provided to the volunteers during this time.  The exercise will commence at 10:30am.  It is intended that the component for volunteer involvement will be completed by 12:00pm and all exercise participants, observers and volunteers will be invited to enjoy lunch and refreshments. Further details of what to wear and what to bring on the day will be provided to volunteers closer to the exercise date.

Interested people can call 49329000.