Operation Dark Horizon brings nearly 100 participants together for full-scale emergency response exercise at Orlando International Airport

August 3, 2026

At sundown on Wednesday July 29, approximately 100 participants reacted to a simulated giant fireball and explosion as part of Operation Dark Horizon, a full-scale nighttime exercise conducted at Orlando International Airport to enhance regional preparedness and evaluate response capabilities during a complex simulated natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion emergency. First responders from the Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue participated as mutual-aid partners alongside Orlando International Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel, providing an opportunity to assess interagency coordination, communications, and resource-sharing in a dynamic operational environment. Controllers and evaluators from partner agencies, including Volusia County Fire Rescue, Cocoa Fire Department, and Seminole County Emergency Management, were also instrumental in supporting and evaluating the exercise.

Operation Dark Horizon also benefited from the support of volunteer participants from the University of Central Florida, Orlando Health, The Salvation Army, and other community organizations, whose involvement helped create realistic exercise conditions and contributed significantly to the overall success and value of the training. Their participation enabled responders to train in a more authentic environment while strengthening collaboration among public safety, healthcare, nonprofit, and community partners.

“Florida has experienced numerous complex incidents in recent years, and with critical infrastructure located within densely populated communities, this exercise is critical to strengthening interagency coordination and ensuring first responders and partner agencies are prepared to effectively manage high-consequence incidents,” said VCFR Battalion Chief Heather Lorimor, who served as an evaluator during the exercise and chairs the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Operation Dark Horizon was funded through the Pipeline Emergency Response Grant (PERG), awarded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC). The grant supported a vulnerability study, training, and planning efforts leading up to the exercise to improve regional preparedness for pipeline-related emergencies. The exercise was developed by members of the ECFRPC along with representatives of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), and from Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) to help responders evaluate and strengthen response capabilities on airport property.

Operation Dark Horizon reinforced the shared commitment of local, regional, and industry partners to protecting lives, property, and critical through training, planning, and cross-jurisdictional cooperation.