Runway Excursion Sierra 03
Comprehensive emergency drill on October 18, 2024 / Simulation of a complex emergency / Drill scenario: Charter plane aborts takeoff / Consequence: Landing gear fire / Small plane and helicopter also affected
The 2024 major exercise began with a visual and audible alarm at Salzburg Airport at 2:00 p.m., which was triggered by the tower crew. Numerous emergency services were involved in the exercise scenario, including the airport fire department, the Salzburg professional fire department, volunteer fire departments, the Red Cross, the police, and the crisis intervention team.
Various departments within the airport were also “rehearsed,” such as Airside Operations, the Ground Handling Team, and, of course, KRIMA (the Crisis Management Team at the Airport). The setup work for the emergency scenario began early this morning, with the morning still dominated by briefings, transports, and various preparations. The core tasks are always “rescue, extinguish, recover” and the professional aftercare of uninjured people and relatives, as well as the classic accompanying press work for emergencies.
The alerted vehicles reached Gate 5 via the Innsbruck Bundesstraße and were escorted from there to the scene of the emergency. Both the exercise and the preparatory measures took place during normal airport operations. The exercise aimed to identify potential for improvement and document it for process changes, smooth cooperation between the various organizations, optimization of communication, testing of emergency plans, and testing of procedures such as firefighting, rescue of people, and care of those affected. Documentation in the mission log and recording of the exercise with a drone are also part of the exercise.
After the exercise ended at around 4:30 p.m., the team discussed their findings with all participants. All insights gained from this exercise will be incorporated into the airport's emergency plans and will serve to further optimize procedures in the event of an emergency in the future. The exercise took place while the airport was in operation and did not cause any restrictions for airlines or passengers.
Facts about the Excercise:
| Emergency personnel Crew size Fire department | |
| Airport | 15 Fire Fighters, 8 PAX Helpers |
| Volunteer Fire Department Salzburg | 8 Fire Fighters |
| Volunteer Fire Department Wals | 8 Fire Fighters |
| Red Cross | 18 Emergency Personnel |
| Crisis Intervention Team | 12 Emergency Personnel |
| Police | 14 Emergency Personnel |
| Vehicles used |
| 7 Vehicles Airport |
| 15 Vehicles Fire Department |
| 1 Vehicle Volunteer Fire Department Salzburg |
| 1 Vehicle Volunteer Fire Department Wals |
| 3-4 Vehicles Police |
| Participants | |
| Ground Handling Airport | 15 People |
| Carport Info Desk | 3 People |
| Operator | 3 People |
| Press Airport | 8 People |
| Krima Airport | 10 People |
| NBZ Airport | 10 People |
| Actors | 35 People |
| Securitas | 2 People |
| Watchers | 34 People |
Other
Extinguishing water approx. 7000 liters
Time required in hours to prepare the exercise approx. 100 hours
