Loveland Aircraft Crash Simulation

On September 5th, 2025 Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL) hosted the 2025 tri-annual aircraft crash simulation. Firefighters from the surrounding area gathered for a briefing before being “dispatched” by the Loveland Emergency Communications Center to a standby for a large aircraft incoming to KFNL. Loveland Station 4 is not staffed 24/7 so when a large aircraft is scheduled to land, a crew from LFRA will move-up and standby on the ramp with a crash rescue apparatus from Station 4. In this simulation, firefighters simulated observing a crash and upgrading the alarm to an Alert 3, bringing in additional resources from Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Poudre Fire Authority, Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue, Loveland Police Department, Thompson Valley EMS, and Airport Operations. Upon arrival, Crash 44 advised they had a working fire with a plane split in half. Crash 44 advised the portion of the plane that was on fire with a fuel leak would be classified as the “Alpha” while the other portion would be classified as “Charlie”. Firefighters initiated an attack on the flames from Crash 44 and requested Engine 50 retrieve Crash 53 and respond in. Engine 403 and Brush 403 were assigned to the “Charlie” portion and began medical care for the individuals in the simulated fuselage (bus). Upon arrival of EMS crews, an additional five ambulances were requested. Firefighters were advised the black flags in the field represented patients that had been deemed deceased and to treat them as such. Battalion 42 arrived and assumed command of the incident and subsequently assigned Engine 14 and Engine 45 to assist Engine and Brush 403 with triage and transport. Battalion 401 was assigned the “Attack” group, responsible for Crash 44, Crash 53, Tower 46 and Tender 46. Tower 46 was assigned with entering the fuselage that had caught fire and extinguishing with an attack line from Crash 44. Crews simulated triage and transport of over 100 patients, surpassing the resources for the area and deeming the drill as a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).  The patients photographed were role players and had no actual injuries.

This was the first drill with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Aircraft Fire Simulator.

Units involved:

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority: Chief 41, Chief 42, Battalion 42, Crash 44, Crash 53, Engine 45, Engine 50, Engine 55 (Reserve), Tower 46, Tender 46 & Squad 46

Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue: Battalion 401, SAM 401, SAM 402, Engine 403 & Brush 403

Poudre Fire Authority: Battalion 2 & Engine 14

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: RTO 43 & Aircraft Simulator

Thompson Valley EMS: Administration, Paramedic 312, Paramedic 352, Paramedic 361 & Drone Operator

Loveland Police Department, City of Loveland: Public Information Office & Airport Operations