Sheremetyevo Airport Finalizes Emergency Procedures for Handling Operators In Exercises Simulating an Air Accident

MOSCOW, Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheremetyevo International Airport finalized coordinated procedures to be followed in the event of an aircraft accident during special tactical exercises held at the airport on September 17. The exercises were part of the current Training Plan for the personnel of JSC SIA, the handling operators, and associated organizations on actions in the event of non-routine, failure and emergency situations for 2020.

During the exercise, joint actions of the crisis center and procedures for SIA Search and Rescue Flights Support Service teams to assess emergencies in cooperation with responsible government organizations were finalized, including the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Rostransnadzor (Federal Transportation Inspection Service), the Federal Air Transport Agency, the Prosecutor's Office, the Investigative Committee, the EC ATM Center and the Disaster Medicine Center.

According to the exercise scenario, "After landing on runway-3 at Sheremetyevo Airport, the aircraft's left engine caught fire and heavy smoke filled the passenger compartment. The PIC decided to conduct an emergency evacuation of passengers."

The first ones to arrive at the scene of the hypothetical incident were the crews of the search-and-rescue service and the airport's medical teams. The task of the rescue crews was to extinguish the fire on the aircraft and spilled fuel, assist in the evacuation of passengers and crew from the aircraft, conduct research on board the aircraft, identify victims and transfer them to medical teams, provide first aid, cordon off the scene of the accident, arrange for passengers to be collected on the airfield, and transport the uninjured to the airport terminal.

After being transported from the airfield, the passengers were provided with the necessary medical assistance and counseling at the terminal, and appropriate measures were taken to inform and assist the greeters and relatives of passengers. Further, investigating authorities at the scene prepared the aircraft for removal from the airfield. More than 100 people and 40 pieces of equipment were involved in the exercise.

The exercise tested the capabilities of modern fire and rescue equipment assigned to the Search and Rescue Flight Support Service of Sheremetyevo. Today the Service is fully equipped with the necessary equipment and vehicles, as well as highly qualified personnel. More than 60 search and rescue personnel are on duty around the clock in each shift who are capable of managing Category 9 fire protection of RWY-1, 2, 3 and fire protection of airport infrastructure facilities.

Currently, the following specialized equipment is operated at Sheremetyevo:

• 12 airfield fire trucks that meet the highest requirements of world standards; ? tracked tank tractors for aircraft evacuation from the airfield; 1 car of gas and smoke protection service to provide fire protection of the inter-terminal junction; 1 vehicle for the ground search and rescue team; 1 armored repair and recovery vehicle.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is among the TOP-10 airport hubs in Europe, the largest Russian airport in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. The route network comprises more than 230 destinations. In 2019, the airport served 49 million 933 thousand passengers, which is 8.9% more than in 2018. Sheremetyevo is the best airport in terms of the quality of services in Europe, the absolute world leader in punctuality of flights, the owner of the highest 5-star Skytrax rating.

You can find additional information at http://www.svo.aero.

SOURCE Sheremetyevo International Airport