The Hawaii Department of Transportation informs the public and incoming/outgoing travelers of a large-scale emergency response exercise from 9 a.m. to noon at Lihue Airport on April 15.

The exercise will involve HDOT and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters together with partners Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Police Department, American Medical Response and Wilcox Medical Center.

All flights will continue as normal, according to HDOT, and access to all public areas of the airport and Ahukini Road will remain open throughout the exercise.

The full-scale mass rescue exercise will be conducted in the north general aviation ramp area of Lihue Airport. Local agencies will work to test and evaluate interagency communications, response plans and responders’ actions during a simulated exercise involving a downed commercial airliner. The exercise will help assess notification and response procedures between first responders and strengthen communications and coordination of response during search and rescue incidents, according to HDOT. Each agency has its own unique capabilities that complement each other’s efforts to bolster the overall success of the SAR system.

Assets and personnel from multiple agencies will be utilized during the morning exercise including ARFF and KFD fire trucks, AMR ambulance crews, KPD police and Allied Universal Security vehicles, buses from Polynesian Adventures and Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School to transport volunteers, and medical personnel from the Department of Health and Wilcox Medical Center. Local volunteers will simulate passengers in distress.

The public is asked to be aware of the ongoing exercise and to not interfere or assist in the training exercise.

Direct any questions to the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 808-587-2160.