Full-Scale Exercise Scheduled at Lubbock Airport

LUBBOCK, TX — A large-scale public safety exercise will take place Friday, Oct. 3, at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport.

The drill, which begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to last about four hours, is part of a triennial Federal Aviation Administration requirement. It will involve a coordinated, multi-agency response simulating a major incident.

Airport officials said the facility will remain open throughout the exercise and no impacts are expected to flight arrivals or departures.

Hundreds of participants are expected, including role-playing volunteers, first responders, and dozens of emergency vehicles. Organizers stressed that the heavy presence of emergency personnel around the airport Friday morning is only part of the exercise and not an actual emergency.

The drill is designed to test emergency response plans, policies and procedures, ensuring agencies are prepared to handle large-scale incidents at the airport. It is extremely important to remember, and to convey to the public, that this is an exercise.