When it comes to an actual plane crash every minute counts, which is why disaster drill training is vital.

The mock airplane crash took place Wednesday morning at the El Paso International Airport.

A malfunction in the plane caused it to crash on the runway, leaving many passengers and crew members with severe wounds and broken bones.

This simulation tested many agencies like the El Paso Police and Fire Departments' response.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires airport emergency crews to respond to the scene in less than three minutes.

"Once the plane hits the ground if we have survivors, the fire is going to be a minor component, dealing with 60 to 100 passengers is the critical element,” El Paso Fire Department Cpt.Calvin Shanks said.

Shanks also told KFOX the exercise makes his department and all other agencies such as the Red Cross, area hospitals and the El Paso Police Department hone their skills

“It's an evaluation tool to see how we function, how we communicate and where we need to make improvements,” Shanks said.

At the airport command center, personnel from several agencies tried to keep everything under control as they handled the situation.

This type of exercise is required by the FAA at each airport around the country every three years, but each year the agencies get together to make sure they are ready if a disaster situation were to arise.

About 300 volunteers from different agencies including Utep's nursing students, Fort Bliss, the Red Cross and the police and fire departments helped with Wednesday’s emergency exercise.