Residents have been warned not to be alarmed if they see police, paramedics and firefighters arriving at Bristol Airport today. That's because an exercise testing the travel hub's emergency operation is underway.
The airport could not confirm which scenario was being used to test its procedures when contacted by Somerset Live. The Civil Aviation Authority requires all UK licenced airports to test their emergency plans and response arrangements on a regular basis.
The operation is expected to conclude this afternoon. The airport has written to local people urging them not to be alarmed at the expected large number of emergency services arriving at the travel hub throughout the day.
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The airport will remain operational throughout the exercise and no disruption is expected for travellers. A spokesman for Bristol Airport said: “The Civil Aviation Authority requires all UK licensed airports to test their emergency plans and response arrangements on a regular basis.
"An emergency exercise is taking place at Bristol Airport during the morning of Wednesday 30 March 2022. Various external emergency services will be assisting during the exercise as testing the responses of the emergency services and the communication between all parties involved in dealing with an incident is a primary objective of the exercise.
"Bristol Airport teams, police, fire and ambulance services will all be taking an active role on the day. Bristol Airport will remain open and operational throughout the exercise and no disruption to flights or customers is anticipated.”
In their letter to residents, the airport said: "Please do not be alarmed if you see or hear emergency services vehicles attending the airport during the course of the morning.
"Testing the responses of the emergency services and the communication between all parties involved in dealing with an incident is a primary objective of this exercise."
The exercise is expected to finish at 2.30pm.
