KPBS Evening Edition

Lindbergh Field Put To The Test With Bomb Drill

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter

Published October 8, 2014 at 4:06 PM PDT

This story was published more than 10 years ago.

San Diego's airport served Wednesday as a stage to test, train and prepare first responders for major emergencies.

It looked like an emergency situation was unfolding on the tarmac at Lindbergh Field around noon Wednesday, but it wasn't.

Instead, the airport served as a stage to test, train and prepare first responders for major emergencies.

A simulated bomb was part of the drill organized by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. As part of the scenario, the "bomb" exploded, damaging a plane people were boarding and a terminal gate.

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"There's a lot of moving parts in a major response to an emergency situation," said Steve Shultz, a spokesman with the airport authority. "This helps them learn how to work better together in the event of a real emergency at the airport."

The Federal Aviation Administration requires major airports to hold emergency exercises every three years.

More than 140 volunteers participated in the drill as well as many law enforcement agencies, fire departments and local hospitals.

Corrected: December 14, 2024 at 2:48 AM PST

Staff writer Marielena Castellanos contributed to this reported.

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Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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