By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Freetown International Airport Limited (FIAL) conducts a full-scale simulation exercise to rigorously test its Airport Emergency Response Plan (AEP).
Taking place on Saturday April 20, 2024 between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm, this critical drill is in line with the airport’s commitment to ensuring the preparedness and efficiency of its emergency systems in accordance with Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority Regulations.
The simulation, which will feature a live fire scenario, is set to be conducted in the designated Soil Area located between Apron 1 and Apron 2 of the airport. FIAL has planned the exercise meticulously to ensure that regular airport operations, including flight schedules, are not affected. Passengers and those with travel plans can expect no disruptions to their itineraries.
Local residents and visitors may notice signs of the simulation, such as smoke near the airport, the mobilization of on-duty firefighters, and the deployment of emergency service vehicles within the airport perimeter and along the key community routes in the Lungi area.
FIAL has coordinated the provision of all necessary resources for the drill, invoking its Memorandum of Understanding with several key response agencies. These partners include Medical Services, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), National Disaster Management Agency, National Fire Force, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, and Sierra Leone Red Cross, among others.
The airport administration seeks to reassure the public that the exercise is a routine part of the airport’s ongoing safety programs and is a crucial aspect of regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
FIAL emphasizes the importance of public awareness regarding such exercises and expresses its commitment to maintaining high safety standards for the benefit of all airport users and the surrounding community.
