Sky Harbor emergency drill tests first responders

Passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport may see what looks like a major emergency response this afternoon, but don't worry, it is only a drill. Annalisa Pardo joins us live with what you need to know. Good morning, Annalisa. Good morning. Later this afternoon, dozens of agencies will be here at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport conducting an emergency response exercise. So it's all set to begin around 1230 this afternoon and should be completed by 430 p.m. It's federally mandated and happens every three years. The Aviation Department says the full-scale exercise tests Sky Harbor's coordinated response to a simulated emergency. The Phoenix Police Department, Phoenix Fire Department, and more than 30 other agencies and partners will all be participating. There will also be nearly 300 volunteers portraying passengers, family members, and friends at locations all throughout the airport. Those volunteers will be wearing multicolored white or yellow vests to let real passengers and emergency crews know that they are just part of the exercise. Now, the exact scenario is still being kept under wraps, but we have been told it will involve an emergency with an airliner. So people driving by the airport and passengers in the terminals may see colorful smoke. But again, don't be alarmed and remember this is all planned. Well, anytime we're better prepared, I think everybody is better off. Every time we know how well our plan is working or if we need to improve a part of our plan or we need to improve our coordination with our stakeholders, that's good for everybody because that means that they will be the recipient of any sort of work that we do with our colleagues. We're told the exercise should not impact any airport operations. And if you have any further questions, the airport has more information on their website And we have a link to that at foxtenphoenix.com.