Emergency exercise at Aspen airport scheduled for June 7

On June 7, the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will hold a “triennial” exercise, which is an opportunity to test the community’s safety response in the event of an emergency at the airport. The full-scale exercise is held every three years and involves the airport’s Sardy Field Fire Department and mutual aid partners from across the county.

“The triennial is an opportunity for the entire public safety community to practice. For example, we will practice radio communications and radio traffic, and our public safety partners will set up a medical group, operations group, and safety group. It really tests the Incident Command Structure and several aspects of our Airport Emergency Plan,” said David Schneider, operations and security manager at the airport, in a prepared statement.

As part of the airport’s Commercial Operating Certificate, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires an Airport Emergency Plan. The FAA also requires annual recertification for the airport’s on-site firefighters.

The Airport Emergency Plan is put into action during the triennial, which is a simulation of a crash of the airport’s commercial aircraft, a CRJ-700. A prop, which acts as the damaged aircraft, is connected to propane tanks so fire can be initiated in different locations.

During the exercise, emergency personnel enter the fiery prop to retrieve “victims,”  or dummies, which are treated by medical personnel nearby. Volunteers from the community also take part – some wear makeup and are “treated” on-site. In addition, airport staff from other Western Slope airports are invited to observe and provide feedback.

The triennial exercise is one of many drills at ASE. The airport performs emergency exercises regularly; each year, ASE completes a tabletop exercise, which is also an FAA requirement; and this year’s triennial is being held during what’s known as “burn week,” when ASE’s Sardy Field firefighters are tested on their response skills. 

On the day of the triennial exercise, June 7, regular airport operations will continue; the exercise will be held in an area of the airfield unaffected by daily flights. The public may be able to see the exercise from the terminal. Signs and announcements alerting the public to the exercise will be put up in the terminal and along Colorado Highway 82. 

To participate in the triennial as a volunteer, sign up here.