The Miami-Dade Police Department conducted an operational readiness exercise on Wednesday at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
The exercise involved a mock critical incident on the airport grounds that required emergency response by police, fire, aviation and other agencies.
Miami-Dade Police enacted a fake incident involving a plane crash as a way to prepare for an emergency. In the fake scenario, a pilot acted violently while in flight towards a passenger. As he landed, officers took him into custody.
"It is the intent of this exercise to test not only the command post system but the structure itself of the coordinating and switching over," said Nelson Mejia, manager at the airport.
Not only did Miami-Dade Police officers take part in the drill, but also fire-rescue and the aviation department.
"We worked with our various partners from the FBI to the aviation department to the fire department, even to the private airplane company that lent us their plane. Working together for and if a situation does occur," said Maj. Ignacio Alvarez with Miami-Dade Police.
But this was the first time officials set up a mock emergency incident at the Opa-locka airport.
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"Our vehicle, the panther, one of our new aircraft units, aircrafts firefighting units has 3,000 gallons of water, 200 gallons of foam and 450 gallons of our propagate powder," said Chief Paul Smith with Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue Airport Operations.
Hundreds of county first responders took part in Wednesday's live drill. Another way officials say they're fostering a safe and secure community.
Officials will now evaluate the drill, make any changes and repeat it again in the near future.
