Full-scale emergency test held at Midway Airport

Emergency officials responded to an airplane fire at Midway International Airport that injured 160 people — but luckily it was just an emergency drill.

Saturday’s full-scale emergency response exercise involved Chicago, state and federal officials as well as volunteers posing as victims. It was meant to evaluate how well crews would respond to a real emergency.

Such exercises must be held at least once every three years.

Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino says the safety and security of travelers and employees is of highest priority, and emergency preparedness training is a critical to ensuring everything goes smoothly in the event of an emergency.

The last full-scale exercise at Midway International Airport was in June 2009, and at O’Hare International, a similar required exercise was held in September 2011.