Emergency rescue measures were tested at Entebbe Airport on Tuesday with a replicated “aircraft crash” at the runway.
The exercise which is an International Civil Aviation requirement for any airport annual emergency exercise, tests the responsiveness of the participating bodies and allows participants to assess the sufficiency of crisis procedures, personnel, communication and equipment in case of a crash.
The abstract involved burning tires. People volunteering as ‘casualties’ were rushed to hospitals in ambulances, the army and International Hospital choppers.
The runway was closed to allow the exercise that started at 2.45pm and ended at 5.00pm to take place, and no flights were cancelled because the rescue action took place at a less busy runway that joins the old airport to the new one.
By Kisibo Jackie
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