information from King County

In late September, emergency responders and aviation officials from south King County will be conducting a series of mass casualty incident (MCI) drills at the King County International Airport.

Because officials are trying to create a realistic response, the media is asked to help us notify the public that this is only a drill. The scenario will be visible from I-5, Airport Way, and Beacon Hill and is a potential visual distraction.

The dates of the drills are Sept. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. There will be two drills each day. The sessions run from 9 a.m.–noon and 1:30–4:30 pm. The date open to media is:

Wednesday, Sept. 24
During the 9 a.m. session
8600 Perimeter Road S. Seattle, WA 98108
RSVP required

These practice scenarios help prepare firefighters, police officers, and paramedics for an actual plane crash by creating a realistic environment with a large number of “patients”. While emergency responders deal with patients daily, MCI situations are relatively rare and have different medical protocols. Aircraft or bus crashes and hazardous materials leaks are examples of MCI situations.

The drill also helps the King County International Airport meet FAA requirements for its Airport Emergency Plan.

Over the course of the 10 sessions, approximately 700 personnel including first responders, communications specialists, “volunteer actors” and Airport personnel will participate in the drill. The exercise objectives include:

• Testing of the Mass Casualty Incident plan
• Ability of different agencies to work and communicate together during a large scale event
• Ability of rescuers to operate in and near an airplane
• Organization of “unified command”
• Use of the Incident Command System
• Meets the criteria required by FAA for KCIA’s Airport Emergency Plan

The scenario will involve a large aircraft at the south end of the KCIA. An aircraft body mockup will represent a commercial jet, and dozens of volunteer actors will have make-up to represent various injuries. Emergency vehicles will respond, stage, and arrive at the crash scene just as they would during a real emergency.

The participating agencies: King County International Airport, King County Medic One, Tukwila Fire Department, Kent Fire Department RFA, Renton Fire Department, SeaTac Fire Department, Maple Valley Fire Department, Seattle Fire Department, King County Fire District 20, Valley Regional Fire Authority, Burien/Normandy Park FD, North Highline Fire Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, The Boeing Company, Valley Communications, South King Fire and Rescue.