Quick response recorded at Juhu airport mock drill

S K Bandgar, assistant divisional fire officer, however, said things could be improved further. “Sufficient communication system should be developed between the security forces guarding the airport and ambulances that reach the site. The security force at the main gate of the airport did not have a walkie talkie with them. Also, there should be more than one emergency vehicles to guide other vehicles in line to reach the accident site,” he said.

Senior officials from the fire department also suggested that airport authorities should carry out mock drills without giving them prior information about the time of call. This could improve their preparedness for a reaction to the incidence. “Officials are informed in advance to sensitise them better on the incidence. The ambulance moving from the Juhu airport was provided with a walkie talkie to communicate with others. These are only suggestions and a report would be prepared by the DGCA on the scope of improvement at the airport,” M K Bimal, Juhu airport director said.

Officials from the disaster management department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), local police, fire department and other emergency medical services from hospitals were involved in the drill. It tested co-ordination between the forces to give immediate medical aid to the injured passengers after a chopper crash, without affecting airport operations for a long time.