Preah Sihanouk authorities are scheduled to hold their annual emergency exercises for the provincial airport this morning.

According to a statement released yesterday, fire engines, ambulances and military vehicles – including helicopters – have been prepped at the airport for the exercise.

Sam Sam Ath, provincial deputy governor, said “the exercise aims to gain experience and improve the knowledge and cooperation [of personnel] so that the emergency situations and unexpected incidents at the airport can be tackled effectively”.

The exercise will draw upon personnel from the Civil Aviation Unit, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, RCAF, the Ministry of Health and other sources.

In order to simulate an emergency situation, some teams will start fires and other incidents on the airport campus while other teams will enact a rescue, Sam Ath said.

Meanwhile, military units will conduct operations designed to secure the area in the event of a terrorist attack.

Sam Ath appealed to local residents to not be alarmed while the exercise takes place.