Emergency Responders, Volunteers Participate in Simluated Plane Crash

More than 100 emergency officials and volunteers are at San Francisco International Airport were expected to participate Wednesday in an emergency response drill involving a simulated jetliner crash.

The exercise, which is organized by the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services, simulates the crash of a commercial airliner moments after takeoff, airport spokesman Mike McCarron said.

Volunteers portray injured crash survivors and friends and family members of those on board. Some are transported to local hospitals as part of the exercise, according to organizers.

The drill is designed to evaluate and improve the ability of federal, state and local agencies to respond to a disaster at the airport.

Participating entities include Cal Fire, the Federal Aviation Administration, the FBI, the American Red Cross, Mills-Peninsula Health Services, and the cities of South San Francisco, San Bruno, San Mateo and San Francisco.

The exercise began at 9 a.m. and was scheduled to end at noon.

-- Bay City News