Emergency responders seeking volunteers to play victims during simulated disaster at airport

Officials say nearly 100 people needed as passengers, grieving family, other roles during July 26 exercise

A firefighter gives instructions during an emergency response simulation. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

People willing to be aircraft disaster victims, grieving family members and other participants in an emergency response exercise at Juneau International Airport on Saturday, July 26, are being sought by officials organizing the event.

Nearly 100 volunteers are being sought for the exercise scheduled from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., according to a press release issued Wednesday by the City and Borough of Juneau. Officials from multiple local entities including the airport, Capital City Fire/Rescue and Bartlett Regional Hospital will also be participating.

"We need as many people as we possibly can to get dressed up and triaged up or moulaged up so we can use you as patients, or to help other players in or other ways at other places around the airfield," Brandon Bagwell, CCFR’s aircraft rescue and firefighting chief, told officials at various agencies during a Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting Wednesday.

Jacob Thayer, emergency management coordinator at Bartlett Regional Hospital, said staff there are "are going to be doing a mass triage and basic patient search" during the simulated emergency.

The release describes the exercise as "critical for JIA, first responders and partner agencies to effectively prepare for the event of a potential aircraft emergency." Volunteers are being sought to portray injured passengers, distraught family members and bystanders, as well as working as makeup artists and providing event support.

Simulations for a variety of scenarios are conducted regularly by emergency responders in Juneau, often in collaboration with state, tribal and federal agencies. Among those are a U.S. National Guard-led four-day series of simulated terrorist attacks in June at locations that included the Alaska State Capitol, an avalanche rescue exercise in Lemon Creek took place in March of 2024 and a previous simulated major plane crash at the airport in July of 2022.

 The registration form to volunteer for the July 26 exercise is at www.jotform.com/form/251766389730165.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.