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Emergency Planning
not provided in a timely and professional manner, often a counterproduc-
tive reporting path will be taken as a result. If a “Jumping the gun”, or
“Fill in the blanks” situation occurs, the air carrier’s efforts could be
unnecessarily hampered. The air carrier’s business and humanitarian
reputation could also suffer.
I can recall aviation industry instances where passengers were
reported as fatalities when they actually were not. Can you imagine what
their families went through for that period of time before corrections were
issued? That emotional experience can never be erased. A respected
carrier/media relationship can and should be a mutually beneficial
resource.
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Any kind of crash or disaster is never easy or simple for an airline, or for
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that matter, cruise line or any other transportation entity. Even with the
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“Accident Expectation” nature of the business, it is always a devastating
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experience that requires a totally professional response. I recall meeting
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with my American Airlines Corporate Security staff, shortly after the
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shocking 9/11 terrorist hijackings and crashes took place that morning.
I told them, “We don’t have time to grieve, we have a lot of work to do.”
They did precisely that and focused on their tireless and professional
work of supporting the massive FBI investigation.
Imagine how a catastrophe would impact a company that had done no
preparation or even acknowledged that something could happen to them?
We’ve all, to some degree, heard incredulous remarks from some of the
uninitiated or “hardheaded” that “we can handle it”, “we’re ok, we have
insurance” or “what are the odds?” That is simply asking for trouble.
Borne from experience, the airlines have taken major steps in prepara-
tion and planning. They take into consideration such measures as:
• “GO Teams” - for immediate response
• Verification of critical passenger data
• Government agency coordination
• Notification of passenger’s families
• Family assistance programmes, including specially trained employees to
help families the ordeal
• Supporting the emergency response agencies
• Personal effects and disposition of remains with related support
• Employee assistance programmes. Employees are often traumatised,
especially those that are deeply involved and close to the event
• Continuity of operations
• Supplemental assistance where needed. (AA supported the Colombian
Military which worked with us at a remote mountain crash site.)
• Security of personnel, event site, facilities, secondary locations and
many related areas
• Administrative, legal, moral and humanitarian follow up
Those are “Tip of the Iceberg” points and do not represent the total scope
of such events; however, they do call attention to some of the critical areas
of need.
Let’s face it, the odds of more disasters, tragedies and terrorist events
are increasing each day. Every organisation should remember the Boy
Scout’s motto to BE PREPARED and most importantly do something
about it!
Contact us at www.checkport.info
The author is CEO of Infinite Security. He retired from American Airlines
or dial +41 43 812 2020
where he held the position of Managing Director of Corporate Security.
email: lawansley@infinite-security.com
Aviationsecurityinternational April 2006 www�asi-mag�com
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