The Ottawa International Airport Authority hosted its annual full-scale emergency exercise last night with leadership from the Authority’s Security and Emergency Management team and primary participants from Transport Canada, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service and Paladin Security. The scenario, which has been in development for six months, was comprised of several phases, including a vehicle attack in front of the terminal on the Departures Roadway with the perpetrator running through the terminal with a weapon, all resulting in multiple casualties, and culminating in the Parkade facility where he threatened to detonate an explosive device.
In all, more than 130 participants helped test the Ottawa Airport Authority’s emergency response plan and the application of several standard operating procedures. It also tested the airport campus’ response to a security-related requirement, the ability to work with mutual aid agencies during a security emergency and it provided a security training environment for various units from the Ottawa Police Service. There were also several dozen exercise observers from several organizations with interest in large-scale emergency planning.
“Airports offer a unique environment for emergency and crisis testing, where real-life scenarios can play out and different outcomes can be simulated,” said Mark Laroche, Airport Authority President and CEO. “These exercises are very effective in preparing the airport community and its agency partners for events that we all hope will never happen here, and ultimately increase safety and security for all employees, passengers and the general public”.
Airports are required, by Transport Canada legislation, to conduct full-scale exercises on an annual basis. In Ottawa Airport’s case, safety and security scenarios are planned in alternating years.