The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) conducted a full-scale emergency response drill at the George F. L. Charles Airport on Tuesday, November 11, simulating an aircraft crash to test the airport’s emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination.
The biennial exercise, held in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, brought together more than 100 participants, including emergency responders, volunteers, and aviation stakeholders. The scenario involved a mock aircraft accident near the northern end of the runway, with simulated passengers and crew requiring rescue and medical attention.
SLASPA officials said the drill aimed to evaluate the airport’s emergency response plan, focusing on communication, command and coordination among multiple agencies. Exercise Director Aubert Regis described the simulation as a critical test of operational readiness.
“The exercise allowed us to activate the airport’s emergency response plan and evaluate how efficiently our agencies would respond in a real-life situation,” Regis said. “The objective is not only to test our response capacity but also to strengthen collaboration and improve overall performance.”
Acting Airport Manager Alexandria Alexander echoed the importance of the drill, calling it a proactive measure to ensure swift and effective responses in the event of an actual emergency.
“The exercise provided an opportunity for all response agencies to evaluate their performance, improve coordination and ensure that in the event of an actual aircraft incident, the response will be swift, efficient, and effective,” she said.
The simulation tested the capabilities of the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre, which coordinates recovery and restoration efforts following an incident. Participating agencies included the National Emergency Management Organisation, the Ministry of Health, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Ports Police, Owen King European Union Hospital, the Saint Lucia Red Cross, airline representatives and airport personnel.
Chief Evaluator Andrew George commended the level of coordination observed during the drill.
“We assessed everything from scene management to communication and response timelines,” George said. “The coordination observed among agencies was very positive and aligned with international emergency standards.”
A formal debrief is expected to follow, during which lessons learned and areas for improvement will be reviewed. SLASPA extended its gratitude to all participants and the public for their cooperation during the exercise.
