WHITE PLAINS, NY (April 24, 2026) — First responders in Westchester County will conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at Playland this Saturday, simulating a commercial jet crash response.
Beginning at 9 a.m., multiple fire, police, and EMS agencies will participate in the drill, which will be visible to the public. This exercise is a simulation and not an actual emergency.
Electronic Variable Message Signs will notify visitors of the drill, which takes place in the lake at Rye Playland, simulating Rye Lake on the approach to Westchester County Airport (HPN).
The focus is to test HPN’s Water Rescue Plan, covering incident management, communications, law enforcement, fire/rescue protocols, Emergency Medical Services, and environmental management.
Unlike previous drills, this exercise will not feature live fire or visible smoke. Volunteers with simulated injuries and mannequins will be triaged and taken to ambulances.
The drill is organized by the Westchester County Airport, Department of Emergency Services, and County Police, fulfilling the FAA’s requirement for certified airports to review and test their emergency plans regularly.
The exercise will conclude around 1 p.m., providing practice for emergency service agencies responding to potential aircraft incidents.
For more information, contact airport operations at (914) 995-4850.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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