News Training

MEDIA ALERT – Airport to Hold Mass Casualty Drill

Print Page

RNO asks for media participation

RENO, Nev. – Please join the Reno-Tahoe International Airport at a full-scale disaster drill from     8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, August 20. The airport is simulating a major aircraft incident. The event will be staged on the west side of the airport and will include responders from several emergency services jurisdictions in Washoe County including REMSA and airport and local fire departments.

The scenario will allow the media to practice covering a full-scale aviation emergency. We are simulating an aircraft crash and the airport and community response. The drill will be smaller than usual due to COVID-19 precautions.

In addition to covering the event, media are encouraged to participate in a mock news conference   to drill the airport on disseminating disaster information. We hope you will join our mock press conference and respond to the event in a realistic fashion to help hone our skills as well as yours. Fielding your questions is a key part of this exercise.

The exercise site is located near the National Guard base entrance in a secured area near a temporarily closed runway. The media staging area will provide strong visuals of the drill. A map    is attached for your convenience.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires commercial airports to hold a full-scale disaster drill every three years. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call Brian Kulpin at (775) 843-8619.

This is a completely outdoor event. We recommend flat shoes, comfortable clothing and a face covering.

###

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority receives no state or local funding. All operating revenues are derived from tenant and concession fees. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the 66th busiest commercial airport in the United States, with more than 4.45 million passengers per year. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.