Firefighters undergo plane crash training

October 2, 2018 | Josh Thompson

All 108 Chino Valley Fire District firefighters took part in aircraft rescue training this month using a real 40-year-old airplane for a simulated crash scenario at Chino Airport.

“The training focused on radio communication between fire personnel and the Chino Airport traffic control tower,” said fire district spokeswoman Massiel Ladron De Guevara.

The training included fire suppression, forcible entry and patient rescue and care, using a Gulfstream II that was donated by Chino Airport-based Threshold Aviation Group.

The plane, built in 1971, is economically obsolete, but is fully operational, Mrs. De Guevara said.

“This training gave our personnel the opportunity to work through the various challenges they would face if an airplane crash-landed at Chino Airport, caught fire, and rendered the occupants unconscious,” the spokeswoman said.

Training was held over three days to give all Chino Valley Fire firefighters a chance to take part, she added.

Mark DiLullo, the chief executive officer of Threshold Aviation Group said the training was a great way to “re-purpose” the plane. “We’re pleased to be a part of this valuable training,’ he said.

Drills included the rescue of two mannequins by firefighters using forcible entry tools and rescue techniques.

Firefighters used specialized foam and water to simulate fire suppression.

They got inside the plane by sawing through the fuselage and using a window for emergency exits near the plane’s left wing, Mrs. De Guevara said.

Chino Airport, located at 7000 Merrill Ave., east of Euclid Avenue, has approximately 20,000 aircraft landings and takeoffs a month, according to airport officials.

Chino Valley Fire Training Captain Joe DeSoto said the effort of officials from Chino Airport and Threshold Aviation Group made the training possible.

“These types of training opportunities are a great benefit to our fire personnel because they provide our firefighters with realistic, but safe conditions in which to enhance their skills,” Mr. DeSoto said. “It was possible for our organization to experience purposeful training.”

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