Islip Fire Mobilizes Engine, Ambulance, and Command to Jetliner Crash Simulation at MacArthur Airport

Islip, NY - Firefighters and emergency medical personnel from the Islip Fire Department deployed apparatus and command staff Sunday to participate in a large-scale commercial jetliner disaster drill at Long Island MacArthur Airport in central Suffolk County.

On September 20, regional emergency services converged on airport grounds to test mass-casualty protocols, mutual aid coordination, and tactical response procedures during a simulated commercial aircraft crash. The triennial full-scale exercise evaluates multi-agency capabilities in handling runway impacts, hazardous fuel containment, high-volume fire suppression, and mass patient triage.

Islip crews deployed with a dedicated task force, including Engine 3-4-2, Ambulance 3-4-3, and Chief 3-4-31. Operating alongside neighboring fire districts, emergency medical services, and airport emergency personnel, Islip responders integrated into unified command operations, executed patient stabilization and transport evolutions, and supported frontline crash response procedures.

Department leadership noted that regular field participation in airport disaster simulations ensures operational readiness and seamless multi-agency coordination during real-world aviation emergencies.