On Wednesday, May 10, Grand-Case airport carried out a life-size exercise simulating an emergency evacuation of passengers.
This exercise brought together around twenty members of airport staff, security officers, firefighters, border police and firefighters from the Savane barracks.
The scenario simulated an accidental chemical spill at an airside door to the departure lounge. Fifteen passengers, mostly students, were in the departure lounge waiting to board the fictional Air Toxica Flight 111.
Security agents and the Border Police (PAF) were on duty. A 4X4 from the airport's technical services was carrying a container of sulfuric acid which accidentally fell from the vehicle and spilled on the ground outside the boarding gate.
The aim was to practice the first aid and fire evacuation procedures that airport staff learn during their training. The exercise lasted approximately two hours and all security, emergency and safety actors took part. The objective was to test the reaction of the people involved in a real situation of this type, as well as that of the passengers.
These evacuation drills allow employees and passengers to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures, evacuation routes and muster points, so that they can react correctly in the event of an actual emergency.
Acid fumes invaded the departure lounge. Sulfuric acid is a toxic and dangerous product which produces fumes which cause severe nose and throat irritation and can be fatal. Symptoms may include coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest pressure.
Airport firefighters cleaned up the chemical spill with water, while other firefighters evacuated the victims from the departure lounge and transported them outside the building to administer first aid. care. Among the victims, one of them lost consciousness and another suffered a cardiac arrest.
The last time a major exercise of this nature took place at the airport was in 2015.
"I consider the exercise a success, but of course we have improvements to be made in the different services, in terms of first aid administration, the role of staff, coordination and communication," Sabrina said. Charville, head of quality and sustainability, who oversaw the exercise for the airport management company, EDEIS. She said more exercises will be held in the future to test responses to emergency situations. _AF
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