Eighty Weston College students supported an emergency exercise at Bristol Airport by playing the roles of passengers on an aircraft involved in a simulated security incident.

Airport staff, police, fire brigade and ambulance personnel tested procedures with the students’ involvement to make the exercise as a realistic as possible.

Bristol Airport’s Head of Communications, James Gore, said: “Testing our emergency plans is important and we take these exercises very seriously.
“The students gave the scenario a realistic edge, which enabled our teams to get the maximum value from the day.”

The Civil Aviation Authority requires UK licensed aerodromes to test emergency plans and response arrangements at least every two years.

Challenges include ensuring good communication between agencies involved and handling the anticipated high level of media interest if a serious incident occurred.

Weston College Health and Social Care Co-ordinator Sarah-Jane Lewis, said: “It was good to know were able to help with an integrated response and we hope we can take part again.”

Sarah-Jane is set to return to find out how the exercise went and pick up a DVD of the day’s events.

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