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HKIA Tests Emergency Response during Annual Aircraft Crash and Rescue Exercise

2016/10/19

Emergency services including Fire Services and ambulance service promptly arrive at the accident site after the crash alarm is activated to render rescue, medical and other support operations.
The Mobile Liaison Centre (MLC) serves as a coordination centre of the AA for on-site emergency response and crisis management. Video conference with Airport Emergency Centre can be conducted in MLC to facilitate on-site updates.
Airport Emergency Centre is activated to facilitate close communications and coordination between different departments and organisations.
Steven Yiu, General Manager, Airfield of the AA, said that the exercise this morning has provided AA, different departments and organisations with an opportunity to test coordination and rescue operations at the MFC, to make sure that everyone is experienced in handling incidents.

(HONG KONG, 19 October 2016)  –  Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) successfully conducted its annual full-scale aircraft crash and rescue exercise this morning. The exercise aims to provide opportunities for the airport community, Government agencies and related organisations to familiarise themselves with and practice cooperation in emergency procedures dealing with an aircraft accident. This year marked the first time that the rescue exercise was staged at the Midfield Concourse (MFC), which commenced operation in December 2015.

Over 1,000 representatives and volunteers from more than 100 organisations, Government departments and universities joined the exercise. Volunteers were also recruited to simulate passengers, meeters and greeters, and journalists. Dragonair was the participating airline.

The exercise started at 0205hrs when a simulated flight carrying 124 people failed to stop at its designated position and crashed into the airbridge of a parking stand at the MFC upon arrival. According to the scenario, the portside engine of the aircraft then caught fire and continued to burn, causing heavy smoke inside the aircraft cabin.

Air Traffic Control Tower personnel immediately activated the crash alarm, and emergency services arrived at the accident site soon after to render rescue, medical, casualty conveyance and other support operations. The Airport Fire Contingent deployed 16 fire appliances and 18 ambulances to the scene. A mobile casualty treatment centre was quickly set up, and the Airport Emergency Centre (AEC) was activated to facilitate close communications and coordination between different departments and organisations.

A total of five simulated deaths and 80 simulated injuries were reported during the exercise. Injured passengers and crew members were rescued and conveyed to six hospitals by ambulance or other vehicle. Uninjured passengers were taken to the Passenger Reception Centre by bus for police debriefing, immigration and customs clearance before going to the Family Reception Centre to reunite with their families.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), the Civil Aviation Department, Fire Services Department, Dragonair and Hong Kong Police Force conducted a simulated joint press conference to brief simulated media parties on accident details and rescue operations. 22 journalism students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chu Hai College of Higher Education and Hong Kong Shue Yan University acted as reporters. The exercise stood down at 0608hrs.

Steven Yiu, General Manager, Airfield for the AA, said, “The safety of our passengers and the airport community is of utmost importance to HKIA. We regularly conduct drills to review emergency measures and preparedness and ensure the airport’s readiness to face potential contingencies. The exercise this morning has provided us with an opportunity to test coordination and rescue operations at the MFC, which has been operating for less than a year. We will continue to carry out various drills with our business partners across the airport to make sure that everyone is experienced in handling incidents.”

"In this year’s exercise, the new Mobile Liaison Centre (MLC) was also deployed to the site. The MLC serves as a coordination centre of the AA for on-site emergency response and crisis management. It houses with advanced conference and work equipment, and is able to conduct video conference with the AEC to facilitate on-site updates for better resource coordination and communication among airport community." added Mr Yiu.

The annual crash exercise is conducted according to aerodrome licensing requirements. Each year HKIA conducts more than 100 drills, exercises and training seminars covering a number of operational disruption and emergency response scenarios, including severe weather, system failure, equipment malfunctions, public health incidents and security issues.

Active participants in today’s exercise included: (in alphabetical order)

Government Departments Auxiliary Medical Service Civil Aviation Department Customs & Excise Department Fire Services Department Home Affairs Department Hong Kong Police Force Hospital Authority and the following public hospitals: - North Lantau Hospital - Prince of Wales Hospital - Princess Margaret Hospital - Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Tuen Mun Hospital - Yan Chai Hospital Immigration Department Port Health Office

Business Partners Airport Chaplaincy Aviation Security Co. Ltd. Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. Hong Kong Airport Services Ltd. Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd. Raffles Medical Group Regal Airport Hotel

Volunteers City University of Hong Kong Civil Aid Services HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps Hong Kong Institution of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi and Haking Wong Campuses)

Other Organisations Airline Operators’ Committee The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chu Hai College of Higher Education The Hong Kong Buddhist Association Hong Kong Christian Council Hong Kong Red Cross Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Hong Kong Shue Yan University


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