DLH simulates full-scale emergency exercise

The Duluth international Airport conducted its full-scale airport emergency exercise Thursday.

The simulation is held every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial airports, in an effort to become more prepared for emergencies.

It was an extensive display of skills and people, taking over six months to plan. There were 150 participants and volunteers, with over 25 agencies responding. They simulated the crash of an aircraft and an unknown criminal act. Medical helicopters were even on scene to fly out victims!

Cade Berg, an EMT and student at Lake Superior College, volunteered at the event. He said the perspective shift was very helpful.

"Having the option of playing the role of the victim is super nice because we don’t get to do it all that often," Berg shared. "It’s easy to forget when you get a clinical mindset of what they go through. And even just having expansive drills like this where the adrenaline gets pumping you can see the firefighters hands were shaking even though none of us were injured so having the pressure on and still following your training. I think it’s really good."