August 12, 2016

Airport, Fire officials commend response to emergency landing

Rapid City Fire Chief Mike Maltaverne (left) and Rapid City Regional Airport Director Patrick Dame address the media during a Friday morning press conference concerning Thursday night's emergency landing of a JetBlue aircraft at Regional Airport. Rapid City Fire Chief Mike Maltaverne (left) and Rapid City Regional Airport Director Patrick Dame address the media during a Friday morning press conference concerning Thursday night's emergency landing of a JetBlue aircraft at Regional Airport. (City Photo)

Rapid City Fire Department and Rapid City Regional Airport officials conducted a news conference to update media regarding Thursday evening's emergency landing of a JetBlue flight at Rapid City Regional Airport.

The JetBlue flight with 145 on board, was forced to make an emergency landing on a flight destined to Sacramento, CA.  The flight experienced considerable turbulence over the Midwest and made the emergency landing due to injuries on board.

Rapid City fire, emergency and airport personnel were quick to respond. Fire emergency personnel provided immediate assistance, checking out all passengers and treating 29 on scene and 24 were treated at Rapid City Regional Hospital's emergency department. Regional Airport officials and staff were quick to accommodate the needs of the JetBlue passengers.

RC Fire Department Information Officer Jim Bussell, along with Fire Chief Mike Maltaverne and Regional Airport Director Patrick Dame (pictured) addressed the media Friday morning and answered questions. All three commended the quick response, the teamwork and coordination of multiple entities, the professionalism of crews and staff on scene and the ability of emergency crews and airport staff to apply several levels of training.

The incident came at the heighth of activity during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  It happened during a high traffic period for Regional Hospital and a high call-in period for service for the fire department.  Officials praised the degree of immediate assistance and service provided by multiple agencies in responding to the incident.

"This incident did not overwhelm our level of response," said Fire Chief Mike Maltaverne. "It had a successful outcome due to the levels of training, the protocols that were in place and the interagency cooperation."

Lt. Bussell indicated the Fire Department wishes to thank the Rapid City Police Department and the Rapid Valley Fire Department for their assistance and Rapid City Regional Hospital for their professionalism during the incident.

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