Full scale drill at Reagan Washington National Airport

ARLINGTON, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - This is just a drill - that was the announcement echoing through terminals this morning at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during a full scale emergency exercise.

The activity lasted nearly two hours.

On Saturday morning, volunteers by the busload came out to help make sure first responders, police, and media are prepared should an emergency strike at the busy airport.

Every three years, the airport hosts a full-scale emergency drill as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The mock scene included volunteers acting as crash victims.

Simulating an aircraft crash, fire and mass casualty, the exercise aimed to test the readiness of emergency personnel.

First responders from Fairfax, Vienna, and other municipalities were on site.

Officials say the drill was a success, and people on the front lines are ready to go - just in case.