Emergency plane crash drill in Dubai: What you need to know

Picture this: an airplane crashes into the power lines of Dubai’s Jebel Ali, immediately knocking off the power supply to a major part of the emirate. How soon do you think the power can be restored? Will the various agencies be prepared for it? Who will manage power restoration? Who’ll look after clearing the roads for resuming traffic activity? Who will tend to the injured, if any?

These are the questions that Dubai authorities answered today when they carried out an emergency drill in Jebel Ali, simulating an airplane crash into the power lines.

First of all, you don’t need to worry at all – it was an orchestrated crash to prepare several authorities for the emergency situation. In fact, it was great that the authorities  undertook such an exercise so we’ll have minimum disruption in case, God forbid, such a scenario ever plays out in real life.

Taking part in today’s drill were Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Civil Defense, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

The emergency drill will take place around 11am in Jebel Ali area.

“This drill was to prepare for what happens if a plane crashes into the power lines of Dubai. Especially around major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road, there are many such power lines. We prepared the reaction of the concerned authorities to such emergency,” said Saeed bin Dalmouk Hamdan, who is part of the Crisis Management Team of Dubai Police.

For an hour, the desert area about 700 meters inwards from Sheikh Zayed Road l became the arena of the different authorities taking up their  tasks in case of an emergency.

 RTA has two roles in this kind of situation, explained Aysha Al Busmait, Marketing and Corporate Communicate Director. “The first is site management in coordination with the Emergency Services: manage road diversions, facilitate emergency  vehicles' smooth movement and support transport resources for evacuation, if required.

“Second, we will ensure  continuation of RTA services in a power failure scenario, especially the operation of traffic signals and metro operations.”

During the drill, five people acted as if they were injured, Saeed explained. “The injured people were transported to a hospital in the area by ambulances.”

Electricity supply was not  affected during the drill, as the power lines were not disrupted.

“This type of exercises and drills are very important  to test the combined response of authorities,” said Aysha.

“To be clear of roles and responsibilities of each and every party involved in management, to test and verify effectiveness of communication between various parties and to test the Crisis and Emergency Plans of the authorities.

“RTA has internal crisis and emergency drill plans and conducts similar drills in coordination with other authorities, including local and national authorities. The RTA Crisis and Emergency teams are fully prepared to deal with crises and emergencies affecting RTA services as well as to support local and national crisis teams,” she added.

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