PEORIA, Ill. — A small-scale disaster exercise was held at the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport on Friday.
Director of Airports, Gene Olson, said the exercise is normally done in April, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, PIA was given two ninety day extensions from the F.A.A.
“It’s basically a dress rehearsal for a plane crash and mass casualty event,” Olson said.
Due to COVID-19, the disaster drill looked a bit different this year.
“Normally, we have all of the first responding fire agencies in the area actually coming to the airport and participating. But, this year, they’re simulating that over the radio,” Olson said.
Crash dummies had to replace dozens of volunteers that usually act as victims of the plane crash.
The disaster exercise was scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m., lasting only a few hours, with social distancing guidelines in place.
The drill did not interfere with any normal airport operations, Olson said.
