An Upstate fire department spends Thursday making sure it's prepared for the worst: it simulated an airplane crash.
When seconds count there is no time for errors. That is why the Spartanburg Fire Department used a bus to simulate what would happen if a plane crashed at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport.
In the event that a crash had occurred, the airport director would brief the fire crew's commander about the aircraft and how many passengers are on board.
Then it is up to firefighters to figure out how to extinguish the blaze and save anyone inside.
The Spartanburg Fire Department has trained for this type of scenario before, but never like this.
"You get more out of a hands-on feel," said airport director Joshua Houston. "This is the first time the fire department has participated in a real world exercise at the airport with an actual fire."
Houston said it's important training because the airport is busier than ever. There are 10,000 more flights coming in and out of the airport than a year ago.
"There is a lot more jet traffic at the airport," said Houston. "I'm not saying this is a likely event but it is a possibility and we would like to be prepared."
Airport officials said they would like to hosts more hands-on training next year and include EMS and other emergency responders.
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