A simulated plane crash is scheduled for Wednesday at Santa Maria Public Airport, city of Santa Maria officials announced.
The airport will remain open for normal operations during this exercise, and people in the terminal, Pepper Garcia’s restaurant and general aviation areas will be notified of the drill, the city said.
The mass-casualty scenario is meant to simulate a 30-passenger airliner crash with a post-crash fire and leaking fuel. A school bus will represent the downed aircraft, a canister of simulated smoke will be used to represent the fire, and Allan Hancock College students will act as victims for the drill, while others will portray families and friends.
The drill – involving the police and fire departments in Santa Maria, Santa Maria Public Airport District, and many other agencies – is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call the City Manager’s Office at 925-0951, Ext. 372 or Airport General Manager Chris Hastert at 922-1726, Ext. 15.
April 29, 2010