Shreveport, October 2, 2025
News Summary
Shreveport Regional Airport held a full-scale emergency disaster drill to test the readiness of first responders and community partners. The exercise included a simulated aircraft crash with around 50 volunteers acting as casualties, allowing various emergency agencies to practice coordination and triage techniques effectively. The approach ensured that normal airport operations continued with minimal disruption while evaluating collaboration between agencies in emergency situations.
Shreveport Regional Airport conducted a full-scale emergency disaster drill on October 1, 2025, which began at 9 a.m. The exercise, aimed at testing the preparedness of first responders and community partners, simulated an aircraft crash scenario. This drill is mandated every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that emergency services are ready to respond to large-scale incidents.
Coordinated by the Shreveport Airport Authority in collaboration with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the drill saw participation from emergency crews across several organizations. Among them were responders from the Shreveport Police and Fire Departments, Caddo Parish, Louisiana State Police, and Barksdale Air Force Base. The cooperative effort focused on evaluating how different agencies can work together efficiently in the event of a real emergency.
Throughout the drill, the airport maintained normal operations, ensuring minimal disruption for travelers. The exercise featured approximately 50 simulated “victims” staged across the northeast runway, demonstrating various levels of injuries marked by triage categories: red for immediate transport, yellow for next in line, and green for those who were mobile. Volunteers, including students from Northwestern State University (NSU), played roles as victims, with radiology students portraying those in need of care and nursing students involved in patient transport to local hospitals.
Emergency responders engaged in hands-on practice, focusing especially on victim triage, with the Shreveport Fire Department leading this critical aspect. An added realism to the exercise included the use of a smoke bomb to simulate a crash, while a crash truck was present to provide immediate fire response. The strategic training aimed to familiarize all participating personnel with their duties during a mass casualty incident (MCI).
Further enhancing the exercise’s scope, hospitals outside the Shreveport-Bossier City area participated virtually, enabling them to prepare for a potential influx of patients in a genuine mass casualty situation. Evaluators scrutinized the performance of the agencies involved, particularly noting aspects such as communication, response times, and overall coordination among the teams. An emphasis was also placed on assessing policies and operations drawn from the drill to refine future response plans.
This comprehensive training exercise not only bolstered the readiness of local emergency services but also underscored the importance of effective inter-agency cooperation during emergencies of this scale.
FAQ
What was the event at Shreveport Regional Airport?
Shreveport Regional Airport staged a full-scale emergency disaster drill on Wednesday morning.
What was the purpose of the drill?
The exercise simulated an aircraft crash to test the readiness of first responders and community partners.
How often is this drill required?
This drill is required every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Who coordinated the event?
The Shreveport Airport Authority coordinated the event with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Which agencies participated in the drill?
Emergency crews from Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana State Police, and Barksdale Air Force Base participated.
What activities were included in the drill?
The drill included passenger extractions from a mock crash site, triage of multiple casualties, and patient transport to local hospitals.
How many victims were staged during the drill?
About 50 “victims” were staged across the northeast runway at the airport.
Who acted as the victims during the drill?
Volunteers included students from Northwestern State University (NSU), with radiology students acting as victims on-site and nursing students transported to hospitals.
How were the victims categorized during the drill?
Victims were staged with various levels of injuries, marked by triage categories: red for immediate transport, yellow for next in line, and green for those mobile.
What was the role of Balentine Ambulance in the drill?
Balentine Ambulance coordinated with hospitals to ensure no facility became overloaded with patients.
What additional preparation took place for hospitals?
Hospitals outside the Shreveport-Bossier City area participated virtually, preparing to assist in a real mass casualty event.
What was emphasized in the response plans following the drill?
An emphasis was placed on assessing policies and operations from the drill to improve response plans in the future.
Key Features of the Drill
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Date | October 1, 2025 |
| Time | 9 a.m. |
| Participants | Emergency crews from Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana State Police, Barksdale Air Force Base, and volunteers from NSU. |
| Victims Staged | Approximately 50 with varying levels of injuries. |
| Triage Categories | Red, Yellow, Green |
| Hospital Coordination | Balentine Ambulance managed patient transport to local hospitals, preventing overload. |
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Additional Resources
- KSLA News: Shreveport Regional Airport Conducts Emergency Disaster Drill
- KTBS: Shreveport Regional Airport Conducts Full-Scale Emergency Drill
- Bossier Press: Full-Scale Emergency Disaster Drill Set for Shreveport Regional Airport
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Shreveport Staged Mass Casualty Event Response
- KTBS: Full-Scale Emergency Disaster Drill Set Wednesday
- Wikipedia: Emergency Management
- Google Search: Emergency Drills Training
- Google Scholar: Emergency Response Drills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Emergency Management
- Google News: Emergency Disaster Drills
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
