Simulated Airline Disaster At Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport Helps Identify Strengths And Weaknesses

Airport emergency responders and multiple area agencies received realistic practice during a full-scale simulated airline disaster at Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport on Saturday.

“Operation Broken Wing” was a disaster exercise which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration every three years.

“The drill went phenomenal. It was very successful in that it showed us where our strengths were and where our weaknesses were, and it allows us to better plan for future emergencies,” said airport manager Devon Brubaker.

Brubaker said one of the strengths that could be seen during the drill was the immediate response of airport personnel when getting to the scene of the simulated accident, putting out a fire, and gaining entry into the aircraft.

Another strength was the response of mutual aid agencies and their ability to quickly and efficiently slide into the situation and take part in the response.

When looking at weaknesses, Brubaker said communication is always something that can be improved.

“As with any emergency response, communications tends to be a weakness because we rely heavily on technology, and technology doesn’t always work as we planned. So we do have some work to do there. It worked, we just need to fine tune it so it works better going forward.”

Brubaker identified administrative portions of the response as an area for improvement. Through the drill, airport personal and responders recognized the need to ensure all the correct paperwork is where it should be to create more efficiency in the response.

When it comes to the paperwork, Brubaker said a plan has already been established and will be in place within about a week.

The exercise included approximately 45 “victims” and “families of victims” played by local volunteers and actors.

Volunteers received full “moulage” or injury simulation makeup for the exercise. First responders practiced determining the extent of injury, treating on the scene and transporting victims to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.

An old school bus and miscellaneous aircraft parts were used to simulate the aircraft fuselage. Airline personnel practiced dealing with “families” of victims at the terminal building. Volunteers also were asked to test the security of the airport by trying to gain access to the airfield.

Normal airport operations, including scheduled airline flights, were not impacted and exercise planners took every precaution to ensure safety during the exercise.

The exercise demonstrated the effective coordination of various agencies, including Airport and Airline Personnel, Sweetwater County Emergency Management, City of Rock Springs Fire and Police Departments, Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Sweetwater County Fire, Sweetwater Fire District #1, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Wyoming Department of Transportation, Sweetwater Medics, Castle Rock Ambulance Service, Sweetwater County Bomb Squad, Sweetwater Combined Communications, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Sweetwater County School District #1, and University of Utah AirMed, American Red Cross, Sweetwater County Board of Health, and numerous other agencies.

Brubaker said having so many agencies involved was an integral part of the drill.

“It really helped us out, and I know it helped [the agencies] out because they are critical to any emergency response here at the airport,” said Brubaker. “It helps them to understand their responsibilities and their role during a real disaster here at the airport.”