If you see flames and smoke coming from the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport this week, don’t panic — it’s due to live burn training.
On Wednesday, public safety crews practiced their skills for a real-life emergency on the runway with a mock-up airplane and a mat filled with propane.
They do this twice a year, but they’re also sworn police officers and EMS certified, so they can handle a wide variety of calls.
“Any given day we respond to fall on escalator, respond to a suspicious person or running a fire call for an airplane in distress,” Public Safety Chief Ben Cook said. “We keep our training up to date — this is one thing we do to maintain that.”
The training will continue through Thursday and will not affect arriving or departing flights at the airport.