HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-29 Hilo Airport Tsunami Exercise -- press release
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR
JADE T. BUTAY
DIRECTOR
For Immediate Release: Nov. 29, 2019
19-0602
HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOSTS ANNUAL TSUNAMI
EVACUATION EXERCISE
HILO – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the public of a joint
Tsunami Evacuation Exercise taking place at Hilo International Airport (ITO) on
Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The joint exercise with Hawaii Civil
Defense, Hawaii Department of Transportation, schools within the Keaukaha area, and
community volunteers will test multiagency preparedness and response to a tsunami
threat.
“Exercises like this are important in our overall efforts to ensure public safety in the
event of an emergency,” said Deputy Director Ross Higashi, Hawaii Department of
Transportation, Airports Division. “Conducting such simulations reduce loss of life during
actual events and decrease the possibility of real-life failures by responding agencies.
Further, engaging with community partners is integral in creating a well-balanced
disaster evacuation plan based on public assistance and cooperation.”
The joint tsunami exercise is an annual occurrence that has been carried out since
2008. Each year, a planning committee composed of representatives from the airport,
nearby Keaukaha schools, and the community convene to review previous evaluations
and prepare for that year’s drill. Simulation of tsunami evacuation across the runway at
ITO is included in the exercise every other year.
Hilo International Airport hosts annual tsunami evacuation exercise
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This year, approximately 700 students of all ages, from elementary to high-school, will
take part in the runway evacuation drill. Airport security and maintenance personnel will
provide safety support as the Keaukaha students and staff walk across the runway to a
nearby airport exit gate. The drill will occur at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 and is
expected to take less than half an hour. There are no inbound flights scheduled for the
duration of the runway drill.
HDOT alerts the public that the tsunami evacuation exercise at ITO will coincide with
the monthly test of the sirens. There will be large amounts of people on the airport
property. The scenario is designed to look realistic; however, this is a drill and not a
real-life emergency.
Students participating in runway evacuation drills in 2017. Photo courtesy: “HDOT” or “Hawaii
Department of Transportation”
Students participating in runway evacuation drills in 2017. Photo courtesy: “HDOT” or “Hawaii
Department of Transportation”
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