MIA hosts successful full-scale emergency preparedness drill

(MIAMI, February 24, 2020) – The Miami-Dade Aviation and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue departments, in coordination with local and federal agencies and emergency response organizations ,successfully carried out a full-scale aviation emergency exercise today at Miami International Airport. The drill fulfilled a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement to conduct a live, simulated emergency scenario on Miami International Airport’s airfield every three years, to test and evaluate the airport’s emergency plan and ability to respond to a major incident.

The drill simulated an aircraft evacuation due to a mechanical fire onboard. More than 120 student volunteers from Design and Architecture Senior High, John A. Ferguson Senior High and TERRA Environmental Research Institute took on the roles of injured passengers, pilots and flight attendants.

“In addition to serving as a valuable test for our first responders at MIA, today’s exercise exemplified the dedication and teamwork our local and federal emergency management partners demonstrate on a daily basis,” said Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO. “Thanks to today’s drill, we are even more prepared to protect our passengers and employees in the event of a real-life emergency.”