By Scott Marder, American Red Cross

On November 1, 2025, the American Red Cross joined Southwest Airlines, BWI Airport, the FBI and other emergency management agencies for a full-scale exercise simulating a plane crash at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The goal: to ensure that if disaster strikes, we are ready.

This exercise wasn’t just about testing systems – it was about strengthening relationships. “We’re working with our partners so that if this ever happens, we’ve had time to practice,” said Noé Hatchuel, Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake (NCGC) Region. “We have the relationships we need, and our volunteers are ready to do this really important job on a day we hope never comes.”

The drill involved more than 200 volunteer actors and months of planning. Teams practiced everything from first response on the tarmac to family reunification processes. After the exercise, participating organizations reviewed lessons learned to integrate improvements into future plans. “Every time we practice, our goal is to learn and do it a little better each time,” Hatchuel added.

For the Red Cross, this work is both a legal responsibility and a humanitarian mission. “We’re designated by the National Transportation Safety Board to provide family care and assistance after aviation disasters,” explained Adrian Grieve, Disaster Director for the Central Atlantic Division of the American Red Cross. “But beyond that, we’re here because families need help – and that’s what we do.”

When an aviation disaster occurs, the Red Cross steps in to support survivors and their loved ones during the most difficult hours. Working alongside the National Transportation Safety Board and other partners, the Red Cross staffs the Family Assistance Center, provides mental health and spiritual care, and helps families navigate next steps – from grief counseling and memorial planning to connecting them with resources and support services. Trained volunteers and experienced leaders ensure compassionate, coordinated care from the first moments through long-term recovery.

Volunteers play a critical role in these operations. “They [volunteers] are the foundation of our client-facing work,” said Jenny Torner, NCGC Senior Community Disaster Program Manager. “From mental health and spiritual care to health services, our volunteers bring decades of professional experience and specialized training to support survivors and families.”

Exercises like this ensure that if the unimaginable happens, the Red Cross and its partners can respond with speed, compassion and coordination. As NCGC volunteer Rich Noonan put it, “The coordination today was fantastic. It felt real, and it shows we’re ready.”

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Through partnerships and practice, we stand ready to help communities recover from even the most challenging disasters. To learn more about the Red Cross, visit RedCross.org.