ORLANDO, Fla. – Nearly 100 first responders, emergency managers and volunteers took part in Operation Dark Horizon — a full-scale nighttime emergency response exercise at Orlando International Airport designed to sharpen coordination during a high-consequence incident, according to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC).
What happened in the exercise?
In a release, officials said participants responded to a simulated natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion, described as a “giant fireball,” as agencies worked through a complex, fast-moving scenario on airport property.
Operation Dark Horizon (Joshua Sheldon)Who took part?
Mutual-aid partners and airport crews trained side-by-side, including:
Orlando Fire Department
Orange County Fire Rescue
Orlando International Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
Additional agencies supported and evaluated the operation, including:
Volusia County Fire Rescue
Cocoa Fire Department
Seminole County Emergency Management
Operation Dark Horizon (Jill Hemmerlein)Volunteers helped make it realistic
Organizers said volunteer participation helped create more authentic conditions and strengthened cross-sector collaboration. Volunteers included members from:
University of Central Florida
Orlando Health
The Salvation Army
Other community organizations
Why does it matter?
“Florida has experienced numerous complex incidents in recent years, and with critical infrastructure located within densely populated communities, this exercise is critical to strengthening interagency coordination and ensuring first responders and partner agencies are prepared to effectively manage high-consequence incidents,” said Volusia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Heather Lorimor, an evaluator who also chairs the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
How was it funded?
The exercise was funded through the Pipeline Emergency Response Grant (PERG) from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), awarded to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC).
Organizers said the grant supported:
A vulnerability study
Training
Planning efforts leading up to the exercise
Who developed the exercise?
The scenario and exercise design were developed by the ECFRPC, along with representatives from:
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA)
Florida Gas Transmission (FGT)
Bottom line
Organizers said Operation Dark Horizon reinforced local, regional and industry partners’ shared commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure through training, planning and cross-jurisdictional cooperation.
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