Several West Plains fire agencies partnered with the Fairchild Air Force Base Fire Department on Thursday, May 16, for an aircraft collision training scenario in preparation for Air Force events scheduled later this year.
Firefighters with the Airway Heights Fire Department, Spokane County Fire District 10 and Spokane County Fire District 3 used metal helicopters to simulate accidents and practice their response to a fictional scenario, Airway Heights Fire Chief Mitch Metzger said.
In that scenario, a multi-agency response was required due to a mid-air collision in which one aircraft crashed in Airway Heights on Lawson Street between McFarland and 21st, while the other aircraft theoretically landed at the Air Force Base, splitting apart on impact and requiring response to two different on-base sites.
The morning’s exercise almost didn’t happen, when the metal F-18 meant to be used by the West Plains crews broke last week. Fortunately, the Yakima Fire Department was able to bring in their helicopter prop for the day on relatively short notice.
The training kicked off a little late due to smoke at the Air Force Base site entering a hanger and setting off fire alarms, but volunteer and career firefighters from all over the region were able to practice both on base and off as fire department officials cycled through several fire evolutions.
Shannen Talbot can be reached at shannen@cheneyfreepress.com.
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