GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, May 13, 2026 – The Gerald R. Ford International Airport ran a full-scale response drill simulating an emergency aircraft incident on Wednesday, May 13.
Held every three years, the drill, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, tests the airport’s and surrounding public safety partners’ ability to respond to an aircraft incident in real time. A cumulation of months of planning, the drill is a critical safety measure to ensure airport personnel and mutual aid partners are ready to respond to an emergency at a moment’s notice.
“We are committed to being prepared at all levels of our organization for an emergency response situation,” Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Chief Firefighter Derrick Grinnell said. “Holding ongoing drills and frequent scenario planning sessions are critical ways we ensure our team and partners understand policies, protocols and procedures to navigate a crisis response to protect lives and perform rescue operations. These drills provide a realistic experience for us to respond with both excellence and empathy for everyone involved.”
Featuring live fire and smoke, the drill details are not fully known by participating agencies to simulate their ability to adapt to the situation. During the drill, a large presence of first responders and emergency vehicles extinguish fires, support volunteers simulating injuries, direct responders and manage other activities necessary during a real-life event.
The exercise took place on the airport’s primary runway, 08R/26L, during a scheduled maintenance time and involved 52 first responders from six agencies and 70 volunteers from the West Michigan Aviation Academy, Ford International Airport and the community.
“This training provides an opportunity for first responders to evaluate response capabilities, strengthen interagency coordination and ensure the highest level of safety for the traveling public,” Grinnell said. “Like every other airport, we hope we never need to deploy the procedures we practice, but these drills ensure we are ready.”
In addition to the GFIAA Fire Department’s leadership, surrounding agencies participating in the exercise included Cascade Township Fire Department, Kentwood Fire Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, Kent County Dispatch Life EMS and Grand Rapids Emergency Management.
About the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving business and leisure travelers with nonstop and connecting flights on eight airlines. The Ford International Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. For more information, visit www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram @FlyGRFord.
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