RDU Airport, NC – Raleigh-Durham International Airport today held an emergency preparedness exercise to test its response to a major aircraft incident. The exercise tested RDU’s response procedures and RDU Emergency Services equipment, as well as that of fire and rescue units and emergency personnel from Durham and Wake Counties.

The drill involved a simulated aircraft accident involving a JetBlue Airlines Embraer-190 with 104 passengers and crew on board. Volunteers from Citizens Emergency Response Group, Civil Air Patrol, and the Junior ROTC from Cary High School, among others, participated as airline passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all certified airports conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at least once every three years. The airport also hosts annual tabletop exercises with local agencies.

RDU’s emergency services team led the response. The airport’s emergency response equipment includes three fire trucks and a primary response vehicle equipped with water, foam and medical equipment.

Support equipment and personnel from Durham County, Wake County, Raleigh, Apex, Cary and Morrisville also participated.

JetBlue participated as the airline partner for the incident.

More than 150 police, fire and emergency workers, as well as volunteers, participated in the exercise.