Emergency Exercise Planned This Week At Sonoma County Airport

SANTA ROSA, CA — The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport will host a Triennial Emergency Response Exercise on Thursday, giving first responders hands-on training during a simulated mass casualty event.

The Federal Aviation Administration mandates the training every three years at commercial service airports, allowing police, fire and other agencies to put their planning, speed and effectiveness to the test.

"This exercise ensures the safety and preparedness of our airport and community," said Jon Stout, the airport's manager. "This collaborative simulation with our mutual aid partners allows us to test our abilities, refine communication, and put into practice our emergency response capabilities."

While the main event will take place throughout Thursday, some training exercises began Monday and will continue through the week. Thursday's exercise will include a live fire drill using a specialty airplane fuselage.

The Sonoma County Fire District, Sheriff's Office and Department of Emergency Management are among the agencies that will participate, along with the Red Cross, FAA and Transportation Security Administration. Thursday's exercise is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.