AUTHORITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NFTA Conducts Emergency Response Exercise
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y- The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority conducted a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
The exercise was conducted in coordination with numerous local, state, and federal emergency response partners, and was designed to assess the readiness and effectiveness of coordinated emergency operations at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The comprehensive drill simulated a life-threatening aviation emergency and involved the activation of the airport’s emergency response plan.
Participating agencies included:
- Cheektowaga, Amherst, Lancaster, and Depew Police and Fire Departments
- Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
- New York State Police
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- American Red Cross
- American Airlines
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies
- Additional support from mutual aid fire and rescue departments
The primary objectives of the exercise are to:
- Evaluate the coordination and communication between multiple response agencies
- Test incident command operations in a complex emergency environment
- Assess the airport’s ability to manage and disseminate public information in real-time
- Improve the integration of volunteer and mutual aid support during a mass casualty scenario
Dozens of emergency vehicles, uniformed personnel, and volunteer role-players acted as passengers and victims in the exercise. The scene was carefully controlled .
“Exercises like this are critical to maintaining a high level of readiness and ensuring that our personnel and partner agencies are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of an actual airport emergency,” said Chief William Major, Buffalo Airport Fire Department. “It’s not just about testing our systems—it’s about saving lives.”
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