A Test Run for Safety: CLT’s Emergency Exercise in Action
The players and action seemed completely real, like a scene from a movie — but it was just a drill. The scenario involved the simulated aftermath of an aircraft emergency and mass casualties.
Approximately 400 people participated in a Triennial Disaster Exercise at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) on October 4, 2025, to test safety, emergency readiness and regulatory compliance.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates this exercise every three years at commercial airports nationwide. It is a routine, pre-planned event scheduled years in advance.
Playing The Role
The simulation players included Charlotte Fire, CMPD, Medic, American Airlines and numerous other local, state and federal partners, who all responded to the scenario in real time. CLT’s Emergency Operations Center was also activated to coordinate resources along with a Joint Information Center to field media inquiries and disseminate information, and an Executive Leadership Team Policy Group.
Volunteers portrayed “victims” and used moulage—makeup that simulates injuries and wounds—to help test first responders' triage and treatment procedures during an aircraft accident response.
“This is really like a Super Bowl for the emergency management team,” said Kevin Wu, CLT’s Director of Operations for Emergency Services. “The key is to build and strengthen our relationships with our response partners. We are trying to get an honest assessment of where we are and identify any gaps to fix them and prepare better for a real-life emergency.”
More than 40 evaluators participated in the simulation on the airfield and in other locations, observing and assessing the overall performance.
Lessons Learned & Long-Term Improvements
The Triennial Disaster Exercise is part of CLT’s broader safety commitment, which involves regular tabletop drills for various scenarios to assess preparedness and improve response plans.
Although planning this specific exercise took nearly eight months, it concluded within a few hours. Nonetheless, the lessons learned will have a lasting impact.
“So, we really get into the weeds on a very tactical and strategic level to determine what is going on, and then we evaluate it,” said Michael Tobin, CLT Emergency Operations Manager. “We never want to rest on our laurels; it’s always an improving process. Our plans are our plans. They are basically words on paper, which is good, but we always want to exercise and do something new to improve the process intentionally and with good direction.”
Long-term safety improvements already in the works include major infrastructure projects like a fourth parallel runway (scheduled to open in fall 2027) and end-around taxiways to reduce runway crossing risks and enhance operational safety.
Tobin added that, regarding the next Triennial Exercise, “We look forward to 2028 and making that one even bigger, better, and more challenging. We’ll start putting our thoughts on paper and see what that brings us.”