A fake crash site was declared in the Pacaltsdorp Industrial area, behind Kloppers. The emergency scene was reminiscent of an aircraft from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg that sends out a ‘mayday’ distress call about 50km from George. The aircraft fails to reach the airport landing in a field after ploughing through an industrial area and disintegrates on impact.
Pojie added that a few problems were identified in the exercise, “which we will work on. This is the reason for having such a large-scale simulated exercise."
George Airport Manager Brenda Vorster said the exercise is for George Airport to test its emergency readiness. "The exercise is held to enable all the relevant authorities in the Eden District, including airlines, emergency services, hospitals, police and the traffic departments, to ensure that their organisation is ready for any disaster.”
The South African Civil Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation requires that a full-scale emergency simulation exercise is held bi-annually. This is in addition to the internal emergency exercisers that are carried out on a regularly basis.
During the exercise. Photos: Myron Rabinowitz
Fire fighters during the exercise.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD - JOURNALIST
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