Nearly 100 people react to ‘simulated giant fireball’ at Orlando International Airport

Nearly 100 first responders, emergency managers and volunteers took part in Operation Dark Horizon — a full-scale nighttime emergency response exercise at Orlando International Airport designed to sharpen coordination during a high-consequence incident, according to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC).What happened in the exercise?In a release, officials said participants responded to a simulated natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion, described as a “giant fireball,” as agencies worked through a complex, fast-moving scenario on airport property.Who took part?Mutual-aid partners and airport crews trained side-by-side, including:Orlando Fire DepartmentOrange County Fire RescueOrlando International Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)Additional agencies supported and evaluated the operation, including:Volusia County Fire RescueCocoa Fire DepartmentSeminole County Emergency ManagementVolunteers helped make it realisticOrganizers said volunteer parti