MIAA retools rescue unit for emergencies

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has placed its rescue team under re-training to further improve readiness during emergency situations, notably when a plane catches fire.

MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong said aside from the actual live-fire exercises, elements of the Rescue and Firefighting Division were also tested on different aircraft accident scenarios to check their competency and capability to react on emergency situations at the country’s premier airport.

“Training such as this is regularly conducted as prescribed under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines - Manual of Standards for Aerodromes, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards,” said Chiong.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) management said its rescue and firefighting capability was rated as Category 10 compliant or equipped to handle large passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 777 or the Airbus A380.

“Complemented with competent fire and rescue personnel, ten most modern firefighting vehicles, two sets of pneumatic aircraft lifting system, and other rescue equipment, the MIAA Rescue and Firefighting Division is well equipped to handle NAIA’s requirements and at par with its regional counterparts,” Chiong said.

NAIA complied with and acquired a complete sets of tools and machines to remove disabled aircraft.

But during a Senate hearing in 2018, Transportation department officials admitted that the MIAA “does not have a highly-telescopic crane” which was used in the case of a disabled Xiamen Air plane that overshot the main runway and paralyzed airport and airlines operations.