Simulated Chaos, Real Stakes: Inside the emergency drill at IAH
A behind-the-scenes look at the emergency simulation preparing Houston for the unthinkable.
May 7, 2025
There was no real smoke. No flames to extinguish. But the stakes were still sky-high.
At precisely 9:31 a.m. on a quiet Saturday morning, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) transformed into the scene of a simulated aircraft emergency—a full-scale exercise mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designed to test how the airport and its partners would respond to a crisis no one ever hopes to face.
The simulation: an aircraft engine fire results in dozens of injuries. Within moments, emergency teams move into action. Airside operations, fire and rescue crews and field personnel converge. Radios crackle. Plans activate—every second counts.
This was no ordinary drill. Houston’s triennial emergency exercise was an extensive, high-pressure event that brought together hundreds of people, from first responders to student volunteers, focused on one goal: readiness.
“This isn’t just a requirement—it’s a responsibility,” said Kelly Woodward, chief operating officer for Houston Airports. “These exercises sharpen our response, strengthen our coordination and ultimately save lives.”
Required by the FAA. Practiced to perfection.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires a full-scale emergency exercise at least once every three years to ensure airports are prepared for large-scale emergencies such as aircraft accidents. The 2022 exercise happened at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). This triennial drill is the most comprehensive test of an airport’s emergency plan, evaluating response capabilities, communication protocols and coordination between agencies.
The goals of the full-scale emergency exercise are clear:
- Validate emergency plans in a fast-moving, realistic scenario.
- Ensure every participant, from airport personnel to local responders, knows their role.
- Identify and address any gaps in training or coordination.
- Comply with federal safety regulations outlined in 14 CFR Part 139.
Tabletop exercises keep plans current between triennial events. But nothing compares to the rhythm, stress and complexity of a full-scale test.
Volunteers With a Mission
Nearly 200 student volunteers from Humble ISD’s Kingwood High School theater program played the roles of injured passengers—without props, smoke, or makeup. Instead, they brought energy, realism and a willingness to help Houston practice saving lives.
“This was about more than drama,” said Ella Ghica, manager of outreach initiatives and volunteer programs for Houston Airports. “Our students understood the purpose—and they showed up ready to make it real.”
Ghica, who coordinated the volunteers for Houston Airports with IAH Emergency Management Coordinator Austen McMillin, said their presence elevated the entire exercise. “Their energy and commitment gave our teams something real to respond to. They made the difference.”
Putting Equipment and Coordination to the Test
Though the ARFF trucks from the Houston Fire Department didn’t deploy foam or extinguish a fire, they were critical to the response. These state-of-the-art vehicles—part of a recent $4.6 million investment by Houston Airports—were staged and mobilized, testing their integration with other units and confirming Houston’s operational readiness.
The airport system’s mobile incident command vehicle and the Atascocita Fire Department’s mass casualty evacuation ambulance were also activated. Both played key roles in simulating coordination and triage operations.
Multiple agencies, from the federal to the local level, simulated what would happen if the worst became real.
Real Stakes. Real Preparation.
Exercises like this may unfold without drama for the public, but behind the scenes, they’re a full-scale commitment to safety. “To the traveling public, it might just be another Saturday,” said Woodward. “But for us, it’s a critical opportunity to test everything—and make sure we’re ready when it truly matters.”
