BOI Airport exercise to upskill emergency services

On 16 November 2020, Fire and Emergency New Zealand brigades took part in an airport exercise to upskill the Mid North’s emergency services and put New Zealand’s newest airport fire brigade to the test.

Kerikeri, Paihia, Ōkaihau and airport fire brigades took part in the emergency simulation along with St John Ambulance, police, Civil Defence and medical service provider ProMed. The simulation involved a shipping container and a vat of burning diesel stood in for the crashed plane while actors and emergency medicine students played the part of injured passengers.

It was the first large-scale exercise for Bay of Islands Airport Rescue Fire since it was set up in March, making it the first new industrial fire brigade in New Zealand in 40 years.

Having a career brigade on site is a legal requirement because of the number of flights using the airport. Five of its six members also volunteer with Kerikeri Fire Brigade.

Airport fire chief Craig Laybourn said the new brigade was ''a great service for the community'', allowing quick response times and peace of mind for passengers and the aim of the exercise was learning, upskilling and improving communication between the services.