Volunteers needed for airport emergency drill
Emergency workers at a previous airport exercise
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) is seeking volunteers to act as injured passengers in the upcoming full-scale airport emergency exercise scheduled for Wednesday, 25 May 2016. The CIAA arranges this event to test the readiness of emergency responders to handle an aircraft accident, and form an organised response in those critical moments that could mean the difference between life and death.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) is coordinating all volunteer activities and interested members of the public can email the CIRC volunteer and resources manager or call 949-6785 or 925-2251.
Meanwhile, the CIAA has deployed “Zon Gun” propane cannons, better known as “air cannons”, to help scare birds away from the runway at the Owen Roberts International Airport. The bird-migration season has started and, at any given time, between 15 and 25 cattle egrets gather inside the airport perimeter fence, creating a hazard to aircraft.
Other bird-scaring techniques have been used; however, the loud popping noise from the air cannon has proven to be the most effective method for keeping the cattle egrets away from the runway and airport operating areas.
While the loud noise may be distracting for nearby residents, CIAA chief safety management officer Andrew McLaughlin said, “The air cannons are only deployed on an as-needed basis and only in response to dangerous bird concentrations on the airport,” adding that “Bird strikes are a very serious problem for airports all over the world, however through the CIAA’s consistent and proactive approach we are able to maintain an acceptable level of safety for flight operations.”
The public can help by reporting any wildlife sightings to airport staff at 244-5835, covering trash cans in the surrounding areas, picking up garbage and not feeding the birds in the areas near the airport.
Category: Airport
