DRBA and DEMA Schedule Full-Scale Emergency Exercise at New Castle Airport - Disaster Exercise Drill Scheduled for Saturday, April 27

 (New Castle, DE)  The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) have scheduled an emergency disaster exercise at the New Castle Airport (ILG) facility for Saturday, April 27, 2013.  The emergency exercise is expected to start at 9:00 a.m. and continue through early afternoon.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required exercise takes place at the New Castle Airport every three years.

What:       An emergency preparedness exercise consisting of a coordinated response among Delaware River and Bay Authority, local, state and federal agencies as well as emergency medical units from New Castle County will take place on Saturday, April 27th, at 9:00 AM, at New Castle Airport (ILG). Designated as Operation Broken Wing, the exercise will be staged on the east side of the airport.

Operation Broken Wing involves a commercial aircraft that crash lands at the airport. "Official observers" from the DRBA, state and federal agencies along with invited guests will have the opportunity to view the drill. A group of "official evaluators" consisting of emergency responders and aviation professionals will assess the procedures of responding emergency units.

“Airport personnel, first responders, and law enforcement professionals are trained to handle these types of emergency situations and coordinate with a variety of emergency service and rescue units,” remarked Stephen Williams, Airports Director referring to the FAA required exercise that must take place every three years.  “The drill itself and the corresponding assessments from the evaluators will enable the Airport to determine the effectiveness of its emergency response procedures and implement changes or enhancements, if necessary.”

When:     Saturday April 27, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.

Where:    New Castle Airport located on Route 13 in New Castle, Delaware. 

Why:        The full scale emergency exercise will test emergency plans and procedures, communication framework and coordination abilities of the participants.  The exercise will serve as the airport's official emergency drill that satisfies the Federal Aviation Administration requirement that all certified airports must conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at a minimum once every three years. The drill typically involves a simulated aircraft accident and tests the response procedures and equipment of fire-rescue units and other emergency personnel that would respond to an actual incident.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority

The Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Delaware City – Salem Ferry Crossing. The Authority also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All agency operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.