Firefighters test their skills during mass-casualty exercise at TPA

TAMPA - Tampa International Airport completed its FAA-required Triennial Mass Casualty Exercise Wednesday. This drill modeled a commercial plane crash involving a fuel fire, injury to passengers, and multiple casualties.

What we know:

This exercise takes place every three years and is required by the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to the aircraft crash, first responders also engaged in a water rescue, highlighting the difficulties of managing dual emergency situations.

A variety of local and regional agencies took part, including Tampa Fire Rescue, Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Emergency Management, the United States Coast Guard, and the American Red Cross. Participants worked in real-time, testing their readiness and communication skills in a high-press