The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) announced today that Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) will host its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated, full-scale emergency response drill on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

The purpose of the drill, required by the FAA every three years, is to exercise the airport’s emergency plan, bringing together support and resources from the airlines, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), various local law enforcement agencies and fire departments, Air Traffic Control (ATC), the Red Cross and other first responders and mutual aid organizations.

While the first responders are attending to the incident out on the airfield, airport management, airline managers, and various other key individuals will be in the airport’s Emergency Response Center (EOC).

The public and passengers may notice additional emergency response traffic, law enforcement presence and approximately 75 volunteers that will play the role of victims during the drill.

In preparation for the drill on Saturday, the airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) division will be out performing live fire training throughout the week, so flames and smoke may be visible from the airport during this time.

Media wishing to cover the event should report to the access gate located at the entrance of C&S Companies by 8:30am.