Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field will be the site of a full-scale exercise from 12:30 pm until 3:30 pm this coming Thursday, September 30th.
The emergency scenario will simulate a Boeing 737 aircraft accident near the passenger terminal building located on the West General Aviation Apron. A passenger bus will be used to represent the downed aircraft.
“People will see a variety of emergency response vehicles responding to and encompassing the exercise site,” said Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field Director Rob Peterson. “However, it will only be an exercise so there’s no need for the public to be worried. Flights will continue as scheduled and will not be impacted by the exercise.”
It is anticipated there will be no traffic impacts at 24th Avenue and Washington Avenue. However, the community may witness a few first responders in this area.
The full-scale exercise is required every three years for the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field to remain current with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, said Peterson.
This year’s exercise will be modified due to COVID-19. For example, first responders will treat simulated crash injuries using mannequins rather than volunteers to help minimize virus transmission.
“The exercise will be on a smaller scale than we might have witnessed in previous years,” said Peterson.
Thursday’s exercise will take place in partnership with the Yakima Fire Department, Yakima Police Department, Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, and Alaska Airlines.
For more about Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field, visit https://flyykm.com