Developing Aviation Emergency Response Checklists

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the use of effective checklists in support of Emergency Response Planning

Introduction

No airline has sufficient resources to respond to every emergency situation independently. While it is not possible for every emergency and contingency to be anticipated and prepared for, It is still more than possible for a strong emergency preparedness program to be developed to avoid many of the common pitfalls and at the same time assist in limiting the negative impact as the event unfolds, including both liability and post-emergency issues.

The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) spends the majority of its life dormant – in fact, it is our hope and wish never to use it. However, come the day when we want to activate the ERP ( and to use it to the benefit of both the situation we are in as well as the organisation.) – We need it to be able to go from Zero to full deployment in a smooth and effective way.

It is not possible for everyone to remember their allocated emergency tasks and it is, for this reason, we use developed checklists – In simple terms to ensure that all persons who are required to engage with the ERP know what to do and when to do it.

ICAO SMS ERP Requirements

The service provider shall ensure that an emergency response plan that provides for the orderly and efficient transition from normal to emergency operations and the return to normal operations is properly coordinated with the emergency response plans of those organizations it must interface with during the provision of its services.

ERP Checklist fundamentals

Checklist # 1 ERP Initiation

 Triggers

    Aircraft overdue with lost communication

    Activation of Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

    Crew Notification

    Terrorist Threat / Bomb Warning – Assessed as Threat

Checklist # 2 Missing Aircraft

 The process to locate the aircraft

    Flight Tracking

    Air Traffic Control – Contacts

    Aircraft – Search Initiation & Stakeholders (Assisting Agencies)

Checklist #3 Crises Centre Activation

    Calling all Crises Centre Members (Contact Sheet with phone number & critical information)

    Preparing Go teams - Roles and responsibilities for personnel assigned to the Go Teams

    Communication to all Emergency Stakeholders – Quality / Safety / Maintenance

    Communication - Dealing with a large number of requests for information, especially during the first few hours & days after a major accident

    Press Statements & Social Media

    Finance / Legal & Insurance Activation (Ensuring Finance is available for all immediate requirements)

    Passenger & Crew List

    Subcontract Service Provider Co-Ordination

Checklist #4 Investigation

    Investigation responsibilities.

    Investigation team & co-ordination with relevant authorities

    The utilisation of the incident investigation kit?

Checklist #5 Go Teams

 Go Team Individual Checklist

   Maintenance

   Humanitarian

   Operational

   Investigation

Checklist #6 Arrival at Site – Additional Requirements

   Instructions for securing the aircraft accident scene.

   Liaison with all parties

   Aircraft Access – Legal access controlled by authorities

   Dealing with HAZMAT considerations

   Aircraft Recovery Plan

To access additional support documents please visit SAS download area - https://sassofia.com/download-area/#airline-ops-emergency-response-program

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services provides specific support related to ERP Training, Testing & Preparation of Process & Procedures – please see www.sassofia.com or email team@sassofia.com