Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and Eglin AFB to Perform Emergency Training Exercise Wednesday March 28th

March 27, 2018

Valparaiso, Fl – The Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) will conduct a “Triennial-Full Scale Emergency Exercise” on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in partnership with Eglin Air Force Base.

The event, which will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., is to test the effectiveness of Destin Fort
Walton Beach Airport’s Emergency Operations Plan, which is designed to minimize the possibility and extent of personal injury and property damage during an aircraft emergency. This exercise will be conducted in conjunction with the emergency response plans of participating agencies, local first responders, state and federal response teams and other stakeholders in the event of an aircraft mishap at the airport. In order to satisfy Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, all airport emergency plan functions must be exercised every three (3) years to assess the capabilities of the plan and personnel.

Emergency Scenario: Mass Casualty Aircraft Incident
Location: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)

In addition to Okaloosa County’s Airports Department staff, participants include: Okaloosa County Emergency Management, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa County EMS, American Red Cross, Twin Cities Hospital, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Destin Emergency Room, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Eglin Inspector General, Eglin Fire Department, Eglin Security Forces, Eglin Tower, Eglin Base Ops, local Transportation Security Administration (TSA), TSA Regulatory, and the Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition.

There will be no impacts to airlines schedules, passengers, or the traveling public at VPS.