Counter Terror Gazette

JLA Emergency Exercise to take place in River Mersey

12 Nov 2010

An emergency exercise is being staged at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) on Sunday 7th November.

It is a requirement by the Civil Aviation Authority for airports such as Liverpool to hold a full emergency exercise every two years. This time however, in conjunction with Liverpool City Council, Halton Borough Council and the various emergency services in the area, the Airport is taking the opportunity to test the procedures in place should an aircraft be forced to make an emergency landing on the River Mersey.

The exercise is due to commence at 10:30am and last for approximately two hours and will utilise the UK’s first floating aircraft simulator which has been specifically built for the Airport to test rescue procedures for aircraft forced to land on water.

This multi-agency exercise will also involve the RAF who will be using one of their Search and Rescue helicopters based at RAF Valley at Anglesey to assist with the simulated extrication and rescue of passengers on board an aircraft located on the River Mersey. Rescue crews from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI and the new NW Regional Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) will also all be working with the Airport’s own Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with this simulated incident.

Around 30-40 volunteers will be taking part on Sunday as will a significant number of emergency services personnel. The Airport will however be operating ‘business as usual’ throughout the exercise and no passengers or airlines will be affected by the training taking place.

Photo Caption:
JLA’s new Rescue and Firefighting Aircraft Simulator being tested at the Albert Dock in Liverpool.

For further information contact:
Robin Tudor, Head of PR, Peel Airports
Tel: 0151 907 1636, Mb: 07710 328554, e-mail: rtudor@liverpoolairport.com