KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If you see a plume of smoke or what appears to be an aircraft on fire near Kansas City International Airport today, the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department says not to be alarmed.
It is just a drill.
Crews with KCFD's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Unit are conducting training exercises at KCI.
"You don't get (aircraft fires) every day," KCFD Battalion Chief Matt Mauer said. "That's why you bring this trainer in, because no one wants to set a plane on fire."
The department uses a mobile aircraft trainer, which resembles an aircraft fuselage.
It is set on fire to simulate different types of planes and crews have minutes to respond.
The exercise is supposed to mirror an actual aircraft fire.
KCFD conducts this training two times a year to ensure proficiency in battling an aircraft fire and to comply with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
They practice three days at both the downtown airport and KCI.
