Carroll County First Responders Attend FAA Aviation Safety Training

McKENZIE (February 27-28) — Local fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel participated in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training at the Carroll County Airport February 27 and 28, designed to prepare first responders for potential aviation accidents.

“We invited all the local fire departments, EMS and police officers in the county. It’s something a lot of us have never had before, and we thought it was important to give everyone a better understanding of what we’re dealing with,” said Captain Brian McDowell of the Huntingdon Fire Department.

The program included a classroom portion covering key safety procedures, followed by hands-on time inspecting aircraft on site. Participants learned where critical switches are located on planes and helicopters, including fuel cutoff switches and how to safely secure a scene until FAA personnel arrive. Firefighters also reviewed patient care and fire suppression procedures in the event of a crash.

The training was intended as both a refresher and an introduction for those who had not received aviation-specific instruction. McDowell, who attended a similar FAA seminar in 2020, emphasized the importance of preparedness.

“We have a lot of air traffic in this area. This is a training that we hope we never have to use,” he said. “It just helps us brush up on our skills and understand things even more.”

Each session, taught by Phil Dixon from the FAA, lasted about two to three hours. Groups were rotated through different aircraft, including both airplanes and helicopters, to discuss the procedures discussed in the classroom. Between 20 and 40 first responders attended the sessions.

McDowell noted that hands-on training and collaboration are crucial.

“It’s something different, and it gives us a chance to go through the procedures so we’re prepared if the need ever arises,” he said.

The FAA training builds on local efforts to ensure first responders are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely manage emergencies at the county airport and surrounding areas.

Huntingdon Fire Department will host a training session on electric vehicles this summer, held at the Carroll County Civic Center.