Emergency Responders Participate in Simulated Plane Crash at SFO

More than 100 emergency officials and volunteers are at San
Francisco International Airport today participating in an emergency response
drill involving a simulated jetliner crash.

The exercise, which is organized by the San Mateo County Office of
Emergency Services, will simulate the crash of a commercial airliner moments
after takeoff, airport spokesman Mike McCarron said.          

Volunteers will portray injured crash survivors and friends and
family members of those on board. Some will be transported to local hospitals
as part of the exercise, according to organizers.

The drill is designed to evaluate and improve the ability of
federal, state and local agencies to respond to a disaster at the airport.          

Participating entities include Cal Fire, the Federal Aviation
Administration, the FBI, the American Red Cross, Mills-Peninsula Health
Services, and the cities of South San Francisco, San Bruno, San Mateo and San
Francisco.          

The exercise began at 9 a.m. and will end at noon.

- Bay City News