Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (21 November, 2014) Now that Grand Cayman’s Emergency Responders have been put to the test, it’s time for Cayman Brac’s airport staff, fire officers, police and Health Service Authority workers to hone their emergency response skills during a mock plane crash.

The exercise called “Rescue Me” was organized by the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) and will be staged at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) on Tuesday, 25 November. The focus is similar to “The Real Deal” exercise that was held in Grand Cayman on Thursday, 6 November. Emergency Responders will render appropriate services in order to save life and property and the airport and airline will focus on taking care of family and friends of the victims of the mock airline crash in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

“The Real Deal”, was the first time the scenario of helping family and friends of crash victims was used and CIAA’s senior manager, safety management systems and chairman of the Airport Emergency Planning Committee, Andrew McLaughlin, said “The Real Deal exercise revealed that continued improvement is needed in this vital area as the airport and airlines continue to work together with the limited resources available to ensure proper treatment of friends and family during this very stressful time.”

The Airport Emergency Planning Committee comprises of representatives from CIAA, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Health Services Authority and the Sisters Islands Emergency Committee (SIEC). During this exercise they will be assisted by the Cayman Islands Red Cross, Government Information Services, Public Safety Communications Centre 9-1-1 and airline partners.

The time and exact location of the exercise is confidential but motorists in Cayman Brac are being advised to expect some traffic disruptions around the CKIA area on Tuesday, 25 November. CIAA would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however these types of exercises are necessary in order for CIAA to meet international requirements and to test the readiness of emergency responders.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Cayman Brac’s Emergency Responders prepare for the mock plane crash set for Tuesday.