Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Despite sirens blaring and patients screaming, first responders maintained their cool as they worked to rescue victims of a plane crash at the Northern Maine Regional Airport on Sept. 22 — all part of a drill designed to test the skills of personnel in the event of a real emergency. Even the weather cooperated, with light mist falling and gray clouds making it plausible that a plane crash could have occurred, given the conditions.
FIREFIGHTERS carry a victim from the scene of a plane crash, during a recent emergency drill at the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle. In back is the ‘plane’ used when drills are performed. Two other victims on the ground await treatment. Pictured carrying the stretcher are Presque Isle firefighters: B.J. Estey, Dave Lovley, Tim McKinnon and Jarred Lablond.
Acting as media coordinator for the event was Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett.
“The crash occurred around 9 a.m. and involved the collision of a Saab 340 with a crop duster,” said Puckett.
“Approximately 19 passengers were involved. We’re in the process of transporting the victims to The Aroostook Medical Center for further treatment of a various injuries, some severe,” Puckett continued
INCIDENT REPORT — Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett gets an update on a ‘plane crash’ at Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle from PIFD Deputy Chief Rich Wark.
Victims were decontaminated at the scene due to chemical compounds involved in the crash — fuel from both planes and chemicals onboard the crop duster — injuries assessed and triaged based on severity and transported by Crown Ambulance to the local hospital.
“We request all family members contact the hospital for more information,” said Puckett, as he acted out his role in the simulation.
IN COMMAND — PIFD Chief Darrell White and Deputy Chief Rich Wark handle communications during a recent emergency drill at the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle.
Darrell White, chief of the Presque Isle Fire Department, said scenarios such as this are played out live about every three years, with emergency personnel training annually on a smaller scale.
“We do a hands-on event at the airport every three years. The Federal Aviation Administration requires a test of the city’s abilities, including everyone (first responders) as if it were the real deal,” said White.
Volunteers for this year’s ‘crash’ were Northern Maine Community College students in the nursing, paramedic and EMS classes, White said.
White was pleased with this year’s preparedness test.
“It went very well. There were a few minor things but all in all, things went smoothly,” said White.
In addition to the three-year drill, White said officials meet annually to talk about ways to handle emergencies.
“We hold a yearly gathering of fire, police, airport and TSA personnel. We build a scenario, then discuss how to handle it,” said White. “Drills like these allow us address areas we need improvement in and perfect skills that allow us to do a better job in the event of an emergency.”
CROWN AMBULANCE personnel joined other emergency responders during a drill at the airport in Presque Isle in September designed to test abilities in the event of a plane crash. Pictured transporting a victim to an awaiting ambulance are: Kendall Skidgell, Thomas Langley and Herbie Demerchant.
