Simulation helping firefighters get hands-on training at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Firefighters are learning how to put out a blaze at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport.

Crews had a chance to practice on a simulated fire on an aircraft fuselage and fuel spill at CHO Wednesday, April 6. The simulation uses a special plane that is purposefully set on fire so emergency crews can safely get hands-on experience.

Luckily, Public Safety Chief Jonathon Shank says a fire at the airport is rare.

“We’ve had aircraft land and blow tires and different things like that. That’s one of the typical things that we’ll respond to, usually it’s a smaller Cessna aircraft. But we do get diverted flights here every so often, that are having mechanical issues,” Shank said.

Training this year includes a new truck for crews to use.

“We haven’t had a new engine for 20 years, and so it adds to the fleet, it gives us some more ability to do a better job with fire suppression,” Shank said.

The simulation only runs once a year.

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