Airport hosts full-scale, triennial drill

Once every three years, Huntsville International Airport hosts a full-scale disaster drill, testing responses for communication, fire and police, emergency medical, mutual aid and more.

• The most recent iteration happened Wednesday, simulating the fiery crash of a commercial airplane full of passengers, the airport said in an announcement.
• More than 80 volunteers took part, sporting realistic makeup simulating severe wounds and scattered around a massive, burning metal tube quickly extinguished by Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting trucks.

What they're saying: "Success at an emergency exercise that simulates such a tragic event means that any weaknesses in our response system were uncovered, and that means we will be even better prepared for the real thing," said Chris Scott, Port of Huntsville public safety chief.