The Gulf Shores International Airport is preparing for their future growth and addition of a national airline service. Allegiant Airlines is scheduled to begin it's round-trip airlines service in May. Initially the flight will service six different cities with direct flights to Gulf Shores. The airport is rapidly finishing work on a new passenger terminal to accommodate the non-stop airline service.

Today the Gulf Shores International Airport will conduct a full-scale test of its Airport Emergency Plan on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in collaboration with multiple community and federal partners. The exercise will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the airline terminal apron.

This exercise is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement for all commercial service airports and must be conducted at least once every three years to ensure preparedness for real-world emergencies. Planning for the exercise takes several months of coordination and collaboration between all participating agencies.

Over 20 agencies will participate, bringing together approximately 53 emergency management personnel and 125 community volunteers. Agencies and organizations involved include:

• Gulf Shores Fire Department

• Gulf Shores Police Department

• City of Gulf Shores Public Works

• City of Gulf Shores Emergency Management

• Foley Fire and Rescue

• Orange Beach Fire and Rescue

• Orange Beach Police Department

• Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.

• Medstar Ambulance

• South Baldwin Regional Medical Center

• Thomas Hospital

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Gulf Shores High School & Aviation Program

• Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency

• Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office

• American Red Cross

A key component of this exercise involves Gulf Shores High School students and other

community volunteers. They play a key role in the exercise and participate as “victims” and

“family members”. Starting one hour before the exercise, these individuals will be provided

trauma makeup to play the part. Their acting and participation provides hands-on learning

for emergency responders attempting to triage and treat patients.

"This exercise is critical for building hands-on situational awareness and strengthening

coordination among agencies in the unlikely event of an aircraft emergency," said Jesse

Fosnaugh, Airport Director at Gulf Shores International Airport. "It takes everyone named in

our emergency plan to successfully execute this kind of drill. We are grateful to all of the

emergency response personnel, airport staff, and community organizations who work

diligently to keep our residents and visitors safe every day."

The public is advised that this is only a drill and not an actual emergency.