Laredo International Airport's Emergency Plan
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Aug 2, 2012 at 10:51 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 2, 2012
"Since 9/11, airport security has definitely increased."
That was put to the test Wednesday at the San Antonio International Airport when a threat was called in to the airport. A caller reported there were three vehicles parked that had explosives in them. Hundreds of people were evacuated as a response. Marketing manager of the Laredo International Airport, Tim Franciscus-Timm says people in Laredo have nothing to be worried about.
"We want the folks in Laredo to know they have a safe airport and that we meet and exceed all TSA regulations."
In case there is ever a bomb threat, he says they do have a plan in place.
"That would involve evacuations. It would involve obviously going through the premise here at the terminal."
In addition to the evacuation plan, they train on a weekly basis and have extra eyes watching the hustle and bustle.
"We have a variety of cameras throughout the airport, both in the terminal as well as outside the air field."
It's not just law enforcement with the Laredo international airport who has a plan in place. The Laredo Police Department is also prepared for any type of emergency."
"The dispatcher would basically coordinate a response from not only the airport PD, but also with first responders, fire department, our department."
Baeza goes on to say they do drills regularly to prepare to see if these incidents are hoaxes or real threats. Homeland security has given grants to the department ever since 9/11. He says if something like yesterday's incident in San Antonio were to happen here, they have advanced equipment.
"LPD has an in-house bomb squad with technicians who have received the best training possible, the latest equipment including bomb robots."
In regards to recent incidents and being prepared to prevent something as catastrophic as what happened on 9/11, Baeza has this to say.
"It's not so much even a matter of if...but when."
