The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday conducted a planned full-scale emergency exercise in collaboration with key national security and emergency response agencies.
The simulation, which began at 09:00 hrs, was conducted across the Arrivals area and other sections of the airport, testing the airport’s emergency response, communication systems, and inter-agency coordination.
As part of the drill, an alarm was activated and a terminal-wide lockdown was initiated, followed by activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The exercise allowed agencies to assess their readiness and operational effectiveness in a controlled environment.
CJIA’s Security Director, Manmohan Malram, said the exercise was a tremendous success, noting that it offered a valuable opportunity to evaluate response capabilities, strengthen coordination, and reinforce the airport’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Deputy Superintendent and Officer-in-Charge of the Timehri Police Station, Clifton Davis, noted that among his key responsibilities during the exercise was coordinating the movement of emergency teams on the ground.
“This exercise provided an important opportunity to test our response structure in real time and ensure that all units can mobilise quickly and effectively when required,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Errol Watts highlighted that participating personnel demonstrated a strong understanding of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), emphasising the importance of continuous assessments to ensure timely and effective responses to any potential threat.
Agencies participating in the exercise included the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Tactical Services Unit, Customs, Immigration, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Ministry of Health, and other airport stakeholders.
Regular operations continued safely throughout the exercise, and at no time was the public at risk.
