Participants during a multi-agency disaster management exercise at the Brunei International Airport. - DCA
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): A multi-agency drill to respond to an emergency at the Brunei International Airport concluded on Wednesday (Oct 18), according to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
The Brunei International Airport Emergency Preparedness Exercise began two weeks ago with seminars and table top exercises on Oct 9 and 16.
On Wednesday, the field training exercise took place at the airport at 9am and took six hours to complete, said the DCA.
The exercise involved cooperation from ministries, government departments and agencies relating to the international airport, which include Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, Ministry of Health, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, Information Department, Immigration and National Registration Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department, Department of Medical and Health Services, Royal Brunei Airlines and Fire and Rescue Department.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin, as Acting Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, witnessed the exercise.
The exercise aimed to enhance knowledge of the roles and standard operating procedures of agencies at the international airport in dealing with unexpected situations, such as a plane crash.
It also aimed to raise efficiency and effectiveness of multi-agency coordination during such emergencies which involve flight operations and airport services.
The DCA hopes the exercise can ensure the preparedness of agencies during emergencies, particularly in channelling and receiving information between agencies. The exercise also provided constructive feedback towards strengthening of the crisis management framework.
