ATL Assistant General Manager of Emergency Management Augustus “Gus” Hudson emphasized the broader impact of the exercise.
“’Big Bird’ goes beyond practice. It’s a powerful statement of our capability and commitment to safeguard every soul at ATL, setting a benchmark for airports worldwide,” he said. “Today, we’ve tested our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to an emergency, reinforcing our readiness for any situation.”
Bringing together 73 volunteers, the exercise created a realistic emergency scenario for responders.
The activities took place at the Airport’s North Cargo building, where volunteers were adorned with moulage by certified makeup artists known for their work on major film productions. This initial preparation set the stage for a day filled with comprehensive briefings, the exercise itself, and post-event evaluations at the Fire Training Center.
Here, first responders honed their fire extinguishing skills, emergency medical services and practiced victim triage. Emergency management teams also deployed mobile command units to simulate a full-scale operational response.
Stephanie Creech, senior executive assistant to Airport General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari and a participant in these drills for nearly a decade, shared her reflections.
“The reality of the situation hits you in those moments on the scene of the accident, playing the role of a victim,” she said. “It’s…
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