Is the Salt Lake airport prepared for potential disaster?

SALT LAKE CITY — In the wake of a recent crash at the Toronto Pearson International Airport and other recent airborne disasters, online chatter has questioned the overall safety in the U.S. But the Salt Lake International Airport is reassuring Utahns that it is prepared. 

“We are required to practice for an emergency every three years,” said Nancy Volmer, director of communications and marketing in Salt Lake. 

According to her, the most recent practice was fall 2024 where “all emergency response teams and people acting as victims took part in the practice,” she said. 

However, the airport does other drills throughout the year, and performed one in January, she said. The drill simulated an aircraft crashing into the terminal.

KSL reported in 2017 on a drill that used a practice facility to train the various emergency response teams involved. 

Fire, medical and police agencies always take part in the drills, but some agencies may have a bigger role than others depending on what they practice.

“Safety is the number one priority for the airport,” Volmer said.

In recent weeks, nearly 100 were killed in several air disasters, which began first in Washington D.C., when a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter, killing 67. Then six more were killed in Philidelphia when a medical helicopter crashed, and on Monday, a Minneapolis flight overturned upon landing, injuring 19. 

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