Posted On: March 11, 2022
The Daytona Beach International Airport will test its disaster response readiness during a full-scale emergency response exercise from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Daytona Beach International Airport. This exercise is part of a triennial requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration that tests the airport’s emergency response capability.
Citizens and businesses who live or work near the airport may hear emergency vehicle sirens and see smoke the day of the exercise. They also may see law enforcement and fire rescue activity in the area. Digital road signs with an “Emergency Drill in Progress” message will be placed at:
•Bellevue Extension and Tower Road
•Bellevue Extension and Clyde Morris Boulevard
The exercise will bring together multiple first responders to include federal, state and local law enforcement, fire agencies, hospitals and Volusia County EMS ambulance. There will be more than 300 participants and over 45 local agencies supporting the drill. Over 90 volunteers from the University of Central Florida Nursing Program and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University will serve as victims for the exercise.
The morning of the exercise, emergency responders will begin staging at 7 a.m. at Daytona Beach International Airport. The airport will be open for business as usual during the exercise with no air traffic interruption.
In preparation of the exercise, the airport will test a smoke pot device on Sunday, March 13, between 8 and 9 a.m. The smoke pot is expected to generate 500,000 cubic feet of persistent dense white smoke, during a 5-6 minute burn time.
On Wednesday, March 16, the airport also will conduct a security exercise test in the baggage claim area. On that day, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:56 p.m., arriving passengers must show a boarding pass or baggage claim ticket in order to be admitted to the baggage claim area. Airline representatives and airport staff will direct passengers and provide any needed assistance.
For more information, contact Air Service, Marketing & Customer Experience Director Joanne Magley at jmagley@flyDAB.com or 386-561-7185.
Daytona Beach International Airport, named the 2021 Commercial Service Airport of the Year by the
Florida Department of Transportation.
-30 -