Hickory Regional Airport will conduct a full‑scale emergency exercise on Thursday, March 26, from 9-10:30 a.m. on the airport’s North ramp near the FBO building. To ensure preparedness, this drill will test the airport’s coordinated response to a simulated aircraft incident and will involve multiple local, state, and federal partner agencies, including airport, fire, police, EMS, and federal response teams.
During the exercise, the public may see a significant presence of emergency personnel, fire trucks, ambulances, police vehicles, and other equipment at and around the airport. Responding agencies may also be staged at L.P. Frans Stadium. Simulated smoke and mock emergency scenes will be visible throughout the drill. These activities are part of the planned training exercise and are not related to an actual emergency.
For the safety of participants, entrance to the airport grounds will be closed for the duration of the exercise. Despite this temporary restriction, no disruption to normal airport operations is anticipated.
The exercise will simulate an aircraft emergency, using volunteers acting as patients to help agencies practice evaluation, triage, and transport procedures. These high‑fidelity drills are periodically required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure airports are fully prepared to respond to real‑world emergencies.
“Safety is our highest priority, and this exercise allows our team and partners to train in a realistic environment to ensure a coordinated, effective response,” said Airport Director Chad Hunsucker.
Thursday’s training will focus on Hickory Regional Airport’s emergency response plan and provide an opportunity for airport personnel and regional first responders to work together, validate response protocols, and enhance communication during complex incidents. The exercise is one of several routine emergency preparedness activities conducted at Hickory Regional Airport throughout the year.
The City of Hickory appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as the airport conducts this important training to maintain the highest level of readiness and safety for all who use the facility.