The Buffalo Airport Fire Department and other local first responders conducted a full-scale emergency drill to test the response to a catastrophic incident on airport grounds. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) full scale exercise took place on Saturday August 27, at 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers took part in the simulation based on a scenario that there is a diverted aircraft flying from NYC to San Francisco. The aircraft diverted to the Buffalo Airport, landed and left airport property, and then comes to rest on Genesee Street near Holtz. In this mock exercise there were multiple injuries, fatalities and a significant jet fuel spill on airport property.  

This exercise served as practice for airport fire departments and local agencies that would normally respond to an aircraft incident at the airport. Airport fire fighters, NFTA police, and other emergency workers along with airport personnel helped simulate the duties they would perform during a real emergency.

Volunteers were dressed up with fake injuries and were safely extricated from the wreckage and carried to waiting ambulances. This event was very successful and did not impact regular airport operations.

Originally posted on 8/29/22.