The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) held a mass casualty simulation, involving first responder agencies from all over the region on Wednesday morning.Â
Across the nation, there have been several instances of plane crashes on tarmacs, leaving many dead and even more injured over the last few years. The simulation gives all agencies involved the opportunity to practice saving lives on RNO's tarmac.Â
In place of planes, the team used school busses. And, instead of real fire, they used fake smoke.
The simulation is required by law and has to take place very three years. It's also required to have sit down exercises talking through events like this yearly, but the CEO and Interim President of the RTAA, Chris Jensen, says their team does more often than is required.
"Safety is, as you know, woven into our culture here. And it's not just the airport, it's the community," said Jensen. "It's really important to understand that if something bad happens at the airport, we're going to depend on all of our partners. We can't do this by ourselves."
First responders triaged victims, marking them with different colors to be able to easily identify them as deceased, injured, and in need of immediate attention.
"We have victims that play the role, people that were injured in the incident. We have all of our first responders who are coming out and playing the role that they would in an actual incident," said Jensen.
The simulation does not end at the scene though -- for responders or victims.
"They'll be transported to the various hospitals around the valley, and the hospitals will simulate, a mass casualty incident response at their location," said Jensen.
After the exercise is fully completed, the RTAA goes over what went right and wrong, and helps use that information to formulate a better plan for future emergencies.
The simulation is required by law and takes place about every three years.
