El Paso International Airport prepares for catastrophic situation

The El Paso International Airport held a full-scale emergency exercise Thursday morning to test and evaluate its emergency response plan.

Police, fire crews and first responders tested their skills with a catastrophic scenario, required by the Federal Aviation Authority every three years.

They were told a Boeing 737 with 100 passengers and 4 crew members on board had just taken off, and had turn around because of hydraulics issues.

“Going through a simulation it allows us to identify areas, where we do well, but more importantly, identify areas that we need to improve upon,” said Monica Lombraña, director of aviation at EPIA.

Crews were taken to a vacant lot near the airport fire station, where a plane and sets of stairs were set up.

A controlled blast went off, startling the surrounding crowd, and plumes of dark smoke went up into the air.

Sirens started to blare as fire crews headed out to rescue the victims, played by Del Valle High School Students.

Martha Gutierrez helped students apply special-effect make up to look like they were severely injured, and coached them on how to act.

“If this was your family member that was in this horrific accident, how would you respond,” Gutierrez asked students.

Red Cross spokesman Colin Williams said he’s been to several similar simulations. He said he recently returned from Puerto Rico, where he used much of the emergency response tactics he previously learned.

“The way we train is the way we’re going to fight, essentially, when it all happens,” said Williams.”God forbid, if this happen, we really want to be at our best.”

Student actor Guerrero Gomez was watching emergency crews act swiftly, as he played the part of an injured passenger. He said participating in the drill was more than fun, and getting out out of class.

“I want to go get my certification to become a licensed firefighter, and one day just help people,” said Gomez

Auditors and administration from each of the agencies participating were evaluation every part of the simulation.

Even the public information officer on site was grilled with questions.

Fire officials said the crews who took part in the simulation will be debriefed, then an updated emergency plan will be distributed to airport staff and personnel with in the next two weeks.