PESHAWAR: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Thursday conducted a full-scale Emergency Exercise 2019 at Bacha Khan International Airport to train the staff and to test functioning of equipment, said an official statement.

All concerned departments, including FIA, Army Aviation, fire brigade, Rescue 1122 and ambulances of all hospitals of the metropolis, participated in the drill to test the level of preparedness for emergency situation.

During the exercise, the passengers were successfully evacuated as fire erupted and all relevant agencies rushed to the scene. Rescue 1122 responded to the call and reached the emergency site.

Speaking on the occasion, the airport Chief Operating Officer Ubaidur Rehman said that such exercises were held two times a year under the rules set by CAA to improve the level of professional expertise of relevant agencies besides developing coordination among agencies involved in tackling emergencies.

He appreciated the role of all departments who participated in the exercise, adding that it would help CAA to meet any real emergency and overcome shortcomings of the various departments.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2019