A fire drill today at Logan International Airport that sent smoke billowing into the sky was called “dumb” by Gov. Deval Patrick who lashed out at Massport for staging the event on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks all while grieving families attended remembrance ceremonies around the city.
“I didn’t know it was going to happen. It’s just dumb,” Patrick said of the drill, which TV news footage showed featuring heavy fire and billowing smoke at the seaside airport. “The timing could not be worse.”
Two planes that took off from Logan on the morning of 9/11 were used in the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center towers, killing nearly 3,000, including some with Massachusetts ties.
Massport apologized today in a statement, saying it “understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11.”
“Safety and security is our top priority and constant vigilance and readiness is critical,” the statement read, “but the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11. The airport community recognizes the day with moments of silence, a service in the chapel, and a wreath at the 9/11 memorial.”
Patrick said he has a “tremendous amount” of confidence in Massport leadership, adding, “I have to believe they just didn’t catch this.”
“And for people who experienced 9/11, many of whom worked at Massport, I just feel so sorry,” said Patrick, who is attending several ceremonies honoring victims today.
Massport has come under attack all day on its Facebook page, with comments that included: "STUPID STUPID STUPID! Someone should lose their job!" and "really. a fire drill today. not tomorrow or next week u are missing the point no one says drills should not be done just not today. how many people did u lose on 9/11?"
