By Mohamed Attia
Cairo Airport Company carried out a three-day extensive field drill at Cairo International Airport to measure the response time of civil protection teams and vehicles in dealing with potential emergencies on runways and taxiways.
The trial included measuring the response time of firefighting crews and vehicles in dealing with potential emergencies. as well as reviewing the movement routes by fire engine drivers in coordination with guidance and air safety representatives before each test run.
The exercise also identified designated points for discharging vehicle loads outside the safety zones of runways and taxiways.
It was emphasised that fire engine sirens should not be used during the drills in order to avoid any impact on operations. Also, the field command vehicle was positioned to document the measurement activities.
The drill also included prior coordination with the air traffic control tower through the guidance representative to ensure that the exercise would not affect aircraft movements.
To ensure full compliance with the highest operational safety standards, a coordination meeting was held with the participation of all concerned sectors before implementation. including the Operations Sector, the Safety and Quality Sector, and the Civil Protection Sector.
The drill came as part of Cairo Airport Company’s commitment to developing staff capabilities and keeping pace with international best practices in emergency response, in order to ensure operational efficiency and the safety of passengers and aircraft.
Accountant Magdy Ishaq. Chairman of Cairo Airport Company, stated that the company attaches utmost importance to enhancing training programmes and upgrading the efficiency of its human resources. He pointed out that such field drills represent a key pillar in maintaining Cairo International Airport’s position as a strategic facility committed to the highest safety and quality standards in line with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
