CPA hosts full-scale Triennial Airport Disaster Drill last weekend

The Commonwealth Ports Authority, over the weekend, hosted a required full-scale Airport Disaster Drill which entailed a simulated plane crash and simulated injured passengers.

Last Friday, CPA held its 2024 full-scale Triennial Airport Disaster Drill at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport which simulated a plane crash involving about 200 people.

Also participating in last Friday’s drill were Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, and volunteers from the Public School System Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Present to observe the drill were CPA Board vice chair Antonio B. Cabrera and Rep. Manny Castro (Ind-Saipan).

In an interview with Castro, he said it’s always good to be proactive about natural disasters and emergencies

“I’m glad to see that our first responders [like Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting], the airport facility staff, and outside partners [like] CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency taking a proactive approach in preparation for situations like this,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement from Cabrera, he said there is always room for improvement.

“We have to be prepared at all times. We have to be proactive. This is the kind of situation that we don’t look forward to. But we have to prepared at all times. Everything seems ok but there is always room to improve. It seems we were a little behind,” he said.

According to CPA, the drill is a requirement under the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations that requires each U.S. airport to conduct a full-scale drill every three years.

It helps CPA review and assess its response to a disaster should it occur at the Saipan airport.

“This exercise is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to help CPA assess their response to a disaster should it occur at the airport,” said CPA.