EASA Regulatory Drivers for Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
EASA Regulatory Drivers for Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers requirements and best practices related to the implementation and management of an effective ERP.
Introduction - AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(3) Management system
Concerning the emergency response plan (ERP)
An ERP should be established that provides the actions to be taken by the operator or specified individuals in an emergency.
The ERP should reflect the size, nature and complexity of the activities performed by the operator.
The ERP should ensure:
- An orderly and safe transition from normal to emergency operations;
- Safe continuation of operations or return to normal operations as soon as practicable; and
- Coordination with the emergency response plans of other organisations, where appropriate.
AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(5) Management system
Concerning Management System Documentation — General
The operator’s management system documentation should at least include the following information - emergency response planning (procedures)
Note - Guidance to follow in case of fire caused by Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) is provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ‘Emergency response guidance for aircraft incidents involving dangerous goods’, ICAO Doc 9481-AN/928.
General Guidance Regarding ERP
This Emergency Response Plan was developed on the basis of ORO.GEN.200 and AMC1 ORO.GEN,200(a)(1);(2);(3)(5) point (f) (cf. Section 8.6 of the Safety Management Manual) and is designed to help the organization respond to events such as accidents, serious incidents or any other abnormal event triggering a crisis.
The number of phases that need to be implemented must be established in order to prevent potential confusion that could result when an emergency situation arises.
Senior management must identify the responsibilities within their organization and respond to family member needs of the crew or passengers and provide assistance to the emergency services as well as the authority in charge of any investigation.
Aim of the ERP Manual
The aim of this Emergency Response Planning (ERP) manual is to:
- highlight the policies and procedures to be implemented in case of a crisis
- offer advice to the members of the crisis management team in carrying out their responsibilities
- communicate relevant information to employees of the organization and members of the public.
As opposed to other manuals of the company, the ERP manual is designed to cover crisis situations which cannot specifically or precisely be defined.
An organizational framework of the actions and policies required to be implemented is presented. However, it is unlikely that an actual emergency situation will adapt to a precise framework. Adaptability and flexibility should therefore be demonstrated in the handling of such events.
Events which may activate the Emergency Response Plan
The following events may result in a crisis situation and activate the Emergency Response Plan:
- Aviation accident/Serious incident
- Disaster in the premises: fire, explosion, pollution, flood
- Loss of the working resource: workshop, offices, hangar, aircraft
- Impacts of a disaster within the vicinity of the establishment
- Climatic event: snow, storm, flood, lightning
- Natural disaster: earthquake, volcanic eruption
- Food poisoning, epidemic
- Death, suicide at the workplace
- Multiple victims connected to a disaster, illness or contagion
- Accident to the public transportation of the personnel
- Social movements: strike, blocking off the accesses
- Internal or external threat: attack, bomb alert, sabotage, terrorism,
- Loss of energy: electricity, gas
- Loss of communication means: internet, landlines or mobile telephones
- Major media event
- An accident during missions: business trip, abroad.
Organization ERP Preparation
It is vitally important that an organization is thoroughly prepared in how to react effectively in the case of an emergency. The progress of events will depend on how the organization initiates an alert (or relays an alert message).
It is especially important to define a single point of contact (e.g. the operations department) that any member of staff may alert in the case of an emergency. This should include a procedure for out of normal working hours.
This single point of contact will be responsible for disseminating the alert to the company managers and the relevant official authorities.
In order to prevent unnecessary delay, the nominated contact must have immediate access to the following:
- Emergency checklists to cover the nature of the event.
- An up to date list of managers to be contacted and their deputies in the case of absence. (a schedule of 'on-call' executives to be contacted should be created)
- A list of emergency services and official organizations to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
Employee Roles & Responsibilities
All employees should know their role should a serious event occur including how to raise the alert, immediate first aid drills and what immediate actions to take to try and resolve the crisis or to prevent the situation deteriorating.
It is recommended that the organization carries out regular emergency training exercises to practice and refine their procedures and to train personnel.
Note 1 - Wherever possible the normal activity of the organization must be maintained.
To this end, employees whose activity is not affected by the situation should continue to carry out their normal duties.
Note 2 - Personnel should, however, contact their family and friends to reassure them in an attempt to prevent an influx of external communications.
Note 3 If the presence of an employee is not required at the accident/incident site, or at the location of the Crisis Management Team, they should be discouraged from going to these locations so as not to hinder the emergency services and/or any investigation team(s).
It is important that personnel not involved in the management of the situation do not contact the Crisis Management Team or speak to the media.
Purpose of Crisis Management
The purpose of crisis management is to ensure that the company’s response to an accident or incident is wholly appropriate to the circumstances, taking account of the best interests of customers, and staff, and the need to protect the reputation and business of the company. The responsibilities of the Remaining Member(s) of the Management Team (RM) team fall into three main groups:
- Communications with the airport authorities, the police, the media, the injured and uninjured survivors, their friends and relatives and company staff.
- Operational issues to overcome the impact of the event, and to return to normal operations as soon as possible.
- Investigations Involvement in outside investigations or the initiation of internal enquiries into the event and the introduction of any immediate measures to prevent a recurrence
Next Steps
Sofema Aviation Services provides specific support related to ERP Training, Testing & Preparation of Process & Procedures Please see www.sassofia.com, www.sofemaonline.com or email team@sassofia.com
