City News Blog: Lakeland Linder International Airport Scheduled for Emergency Exercise on February 11, 2025

Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) will host a full-scale emergency exercise on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This comprehensive simulation evaluates the airport's emergency response capabilities and ensures effective coordination among community response teams during an aviation-related incident. Regular airport operations will not be affected.

Signage will be prominently placed at the Don Emerson/Drane Field Intersection and the Drane Field/Airfield Ct E intersection to notify the public of the training exercise. Residents and travelers may notice increased emergency vehicles and equipment entering and exiting Drane Field Road and Airfield Court East, near Fire Station 7 and the LAL Terminal Building. There is no cause for public concern as this is a planned training exercise.

The primary goal of this Full-Scale Exercise (FSE) is to allow the Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) community to thoroughly test components of CFR Part 139 in conjunction with additional preparedness, response, and recovery protocols, plans, and procedures, specifically for a downed aircraft incident. This exercise complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which mandate that CFR Part 139-certificated airports conduct a full-scale emergency exercise every three years. These exercises are essential to ensure preparedness and the ability to effectively coordinate among airport staff, tenants, and local response agencies.

This year, an additional component will be added to the day's schedule- Avelo's Reunification Plan Tabletop Exercise (TTX). This collaborative exercise, scheduled to take place following the Full-Scale Exercise (FSE), is a timely and valuable addition. With the launch of commercial flights by Avelo Airlines at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), the exercise addresses the heightened operational complexity involved with safely and efficiently reuniting individuals separated during an emergency or crisis.

This exercise is not open to the general public; however, members of the media are welcome to attend and cover the event. A designated media observation site will be provided for your convenience. For additional details or to arrange access, please contact Stephanie Lewis, the Lakeland Fire Department's Public Relations and Information Manager at stephanie.lewis@lakelandgov.net.

Contact

Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net

About Lakeland

The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population fast approaching 130,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State in 1889.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.

Posted by Communications on 28 Jan 2025