Emergency
Exercise at
Reagan National
Airport
On Saturday, September 18, 2010, Arc Aspicio employees participated in a full-scale emergency training exercise at Reagan National Airport. It was sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The exercise served as hands-on training for emergency personnel from around the DC area and tested the airport's emergency operations plan. The simulated aircraft accident involved an aircraft that lost control upon the airport. Responders rescued mock victims, played by volunteers, and transported them to local hospitals; some were even rescued from the Potomac River.
In an emergency situation, it is critical that the families and friends of victims are properly treated and informed. Arc Aspicio employees participated as family and friends in the exercise testing the readiness of the airport's Family Assistance Support Team, the American Red Cross and their therapy dogs, and airline representatives. Volunteers were given profiles to role play which included a passenger victim they were associated to in the accident. Family and friends were specifically asked to be distressed and panicked to simulate a real-life emergency situation. The exercise also tested out airport security as participants were ushered through screening alongside actual weekend morning travelers.
As a National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2010 Coalition member, Arc Aspicio volunteered for the full-scale emergency training exercise to help emergency personnel be Ready. To help the community and its employees be ready, Arc Aspicio sponsored a life-saving blood drive with Children's Hospital and conducted COOP training for its employees.