The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has announced today that an emergency exercise will be conducted at L.G. Hanscom Field on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Known as the Triennial Emergency Drill, the airport will simulate an aircraft accident that will involve mutual aid response from Bedford, Concord, Lexington and Lincoln. The airport conducts simulated accidents every three years in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The purpose of the exercise is to test and evaluate the emergency response system at L.G. Hanscom Field and to reinforce cooperation among agencies. The last exercise was held in 2002.

Residents should be aware that if they see a large number of emergency vehicles en route to Hanscom Field on the morning of July 27, it is a drill, not an actual emergency and there is no need for alarm.

Also participating in the exercise are the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Red Cross, U.S. Air Force, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), The Lahey Clinic, Emerson Hospital, Boston Medflight, Signature Flight Support, Jet Aviation, and 44 volunteers acting as victims. The Wyotech Aeronautical, Maintenance and Technology School will provide a Boeing 727 aircraft for the drill.

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