RIC to Conduct Full-Scale Response Test

Emergency Exercise Facts

• As mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airports must conduct full-scale tests of their Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) every three years. Such create a real-time practice environment for multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional response coordination that would be necessary in the event of an actual incident.
• Emergency response measures build upon the National Incident Management System (NIMS) which provides a consistent and scalable template for managing incidents.
• Accordingly, Richmond International Airport (RIC) will conduct a full-scale emergency response exercise this Thursday, May 12^th, starting at approximately 10:00 a.m.
• Participants may include: RIC Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), RIC Police (RICPD), other airport staff, Southwest Airlines and other airlines, Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management (VDEM), Henrico Division of Fire, Henrico Division of Police, Hanover Division of Fire, Chesterfield Fire & EMS, Richmond Fire & EMS, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the American Red Cross, FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC/FAA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Virginia State Police, Virginia Dept. of Health (including Medical Examiner’s office), Virginia Dept. of Fire Programs, Virginia Dept. of Transportation (VDOT), Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) from Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond, Old Dominion Emergency Medical Services Alliance (ODEMSA), and HCA Virginia hospitals.

Impact during the Drill Period

• The airport anticipates no impact to normal operations during the emergency response exercise.
• Multiple scenarios will evaluate emergency response and coordination during the event.
• RIC will post signs in the terminal building and broadcast announcements over the public address system in the terminal building to advise airport customers that an emergency response simulation is in progress.
• Media representatives planning to attend the response exercise should contact Tess King via phone at 804-226-3024 or by e-mail to tking@flyrichmond.com by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11^th. Instructions and directions to the first response site will be provided.

Supporting Resources

• RIC Airport Diagram: https://flyrichmond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/00347AD_421_0519.pdf
• FEMA’s National Incident Management System: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims

About Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Richmond International Airport’s vision is to move people, business, and commerce to advance the Richmond region. To that end, eight major passenger airlines and four dedicated cargo carriers offer domestic service from Richmond International Airport (RIC) with connecting options to points around the globe. Airport activities create nearly 16,000 jobs and contribute $2.1 billion in economic activity annually to the Richmond region. To learn more, visit RIC on the web, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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Contact Information:

Troy M. Bell, C.M. | Director – Marketing & Air Service Development/Public Information Officer

Richmond International Airport | tbell@flyrichmond.com