SMO-DART Partners With Red Cross To Demonstrate Airport's Place In Region's 'Critical Infrastructure'

SMO-DART (Santa Monica Airport Disaster Airlift Response Team) and the Red Cross have announced their cooperation on a disaster preparedness exercise at Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) where ten aircraft will participate in delivering critical supplies to the airport during times of disaster.

In this simulated major earthquake scenario, the 405 and 10 Freeways are impassable and Pacific Coast Highway is closed to traffic. Although damaged, SMO has enough usable runway for small aircraft.

A group of volunteer pilots will fly in Red Cross Critical Supplies from Whiteman, Van Nuys, Brackett, Compton and Torrance airports. Ten aircraft will be acting as an “air bridge” for Red Cross ground transport in surrounding regions, supporting Red Cross in West Los Angeles.

This is a practical demonstration of the City of Santa Monica “All Hazards Mitigation Plan” which lists SMO as “Critical Infrastructure” in a disaster.

The demonstration will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 10:30am to 12:30pm local time.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.santamonicaairport.info