BAYAN LEPAS: What was supposed to be a full-scale drill at the Penang International Airport (PIA) turned into a full-blown emergency, when one of the firemen participating in the exercise collapsed at the scene.
The fireman was standing near a truck during the exercise.
Media photographers who were recording the event initially thought that it was part of the exercise before eventually realising that it was an actual emergency.
A medical team quickly rushed to the man and delivered first aid before taking him away in an ambulance.
An official statement pertaining to the incident is expected to be released soon.
The seven-hour exercise, which saw the participation of more than 500 people, focused on measures and actions taken to counter possible emergencies at the airport.
A total of 15 emergency response agencies including police, the state Health Department and Fire and Rescue Department, were involved in the bi-annual full-scale aircraft crash exercise.
The exercise is carried out to test the Aerodrome Emergency Plan (AEP), a documentation that encompasses contingency plans to achieve the coordinated actions through defined guidelines of the functions and responsibilities of the operational units at the airport, government agencies and airlines in the event of an airport emergency.
Malaysia Airports group chief executive officer (GCEO) Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said the group is committed in ensuring the safety and security of its airports.
"As at September 2019, PIA registered 6.2 million passengers, which is an 8.3 per cent increase from the same period last year.
"With the numbers climbing every year, holding a full-scale exercise with the re-enactment of possible emergencies is absolutely necessary for the airport’s readiness,” he said in a statement today.