A federally required “red alert” mass-casualty exercise was conducted today at Denver International Airport, in which emergency personnel were faced with the simulated crash of a passenger jet and cargo plane on one of DIA’s runways.
The “collision” occurred on runway 35R and involved real planes belonging to two fictitious airlines, “Denver Air” and “Polywog Cargo,” according to Chuck Cannon, spokesman for the airport.
More than 160 people participated, including DIA employees who played the roles of passengers on a 727 passenger plane, plus police, fire and operations personnel at the airport.
Fire departments and medical personnel from surrounding jurisdictions also participated in the exercise.
About 100 observers watched the three-hour drill, including representatives from major U.S. airports, among them Boston Logan, Cannon said.
Cannon said none of the emergency crews were stationed near the plane collision. Rather, they responded to the runway — and in some cases to the airport — after they were notified of the emergency, Cannon said. Because of their distance from the airport, some fire departments and other emergency responders did not arrive for 20- to 30 minutes, Cannon said.
The passengers simulated a number of injuries, and several junked cars were set on fire near the planes, which were extinguished by the firefighters, Cannon said.
The passengers were treated after they were carried off the “Denver Air” flight, Cannon said.
“We tried to make it as real as we could,” he said.
A red-alert emergency exercise is required at DIA every three years, Cannon said, and the general emergency plan must be tested once a year.
Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
