Port of Moses Lake to stage emergency drill

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will be conducting two disaster exercises on Friday, Oct. 13, to test the Port’s and the area’s ability to respond to a major accident at Grant County International Airport.

“Every three years, the FAA requires airports like ours to a full-scale emergency exercise,” said Richard Mueller, director of facilities and operations for the Port of Moses Lake.

The exercise must be based on typical airport traffic, Mueller said. The last time Grant County International Airport did this, Mueller said they simulated a general aviation accident. But this year, officials with the port are working closely with Mitsubishi and constructing their accident scenarios with a “regional jet” in mind.

On Friday, officials from the Port, Mitsubishi, Grant County, and Samaritan Hospital discussed preparations for the October exercise, which will involve two scenarios. In the first, crews will respond to the landing of a regional jet with simulated hydraulic damage to its landing gear.

This will involve a limited response by Port clean-up crews, Mitsubishi, and first responders.

The second scenario, however, involves the crash of a “newly certified” regional jet with 30 students from Big Bend Community College aviation program, and will test Grant County and Samaritan Hospital’s ability to respond to a mass casualty event.

“All of us will have a chance to hone skills,” Mueller said. “Everybody in the community will have a chance to stay sharp.”

“Safety is our first priority at Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and we are taking part in this drill as part of our company’s safety program,” said Mitsubishi spokesperson Morgan Heysse.

Mitsubishi, which is testing its MRJ regional jet here in Moses Lake, works very closely with the Port of Moses Lake, Heysse said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the local community and first responders in facilitating this outstanding opportunity,” she added.

Mueller said BBCC’s aviation program is donating the “carcass” of a 757 for the crash simulation.

“We’re going to have about 30 (students) play passengers and crew in various stages of injury,” he said.

The exercise, which has been in the planning since the beginning of the year, will run most of the morning, and involve emergency response from Grant County, the city of Moses Lake, AMR Ambulance, and Samaritan Hospital, as well as from the Port’s own security and fire departments.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.