Crash-rescue exercise at Mactan-Cebu International Airport

PASSENGERS were rescued from a burning aircraft during a crash-and-rescue drill yesterday in the  Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Once on th ground, passengers got out and sprawled on the ground. The plane then caught fire and was doused by hoses of responding firefighters.

The control tower alerted fire trucks, airport police and hospitals to send their ambulances and  paramedics to rescue.

The exercise is done twice a year starting  2010, said Capt. Romeo Bersonda, acting general manager of MCIA.

The drill tests the airport’s capability to deal with an emergency. The MCIA has an  agreement with different hospitals as partners for this purpose.

Yesterday’s scenario was Emergency Plan no. 1 – Aircraft Accident (On Airport) in the Mactan Airport Emergency Plan.

During the exercise, a delayed flight with 75 passengers and crew  was  on its final approach to runway 22 when the plane was forced to make an emergency landing.

“We achieved the needed response time. We improved compared to the 2010 exercise although the result still has to be evaluated,” said Bersonda.

A group of evaluators was present during the exercise./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA