Element 1.4
1.4 Coordination of Emergency response
For a small, non-complex organisation, the emergency response plan may be nothing more than a laminated card with basic emergency response steps and telephone numbers of personnel to call. A larger more complex operation may have an entire manual, detailing various emergency situations and contain great detail on every aspect of potential scenarios. Regardless of whether the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is a laminated card, or a manual (or both), it must be contained, or at least referred to, in the SMS manual.
CASA’s CAAP for ERP provides guidance to ensure that the following are in place prior to an adverse event:
- Orderly and efficient transition from normal to emergency operations
- Delegation of emergency authority
- Assignment of emergency responsibilities
- Authorisation by key personnel for actions contained in the plan
- Coordination of efforts to cope with the emergency
- Safe continuation of operations or return to normal operations as soon as possible
- Planned and coordinated action to ensure the risks attributable to to a major safety event can be managed and minimised.
The content of the ERP should include:
- The purpose of the ERP
- When the ERP should be activated
- Any external agency interface (Aerodrome, CASA, ATSB etc)
- Passenger and crew welfare considerations
- Casualty notification procedures
- Accident investigation
- Accident site security
- Preservation of evidence
- Media policy and procedures;
- Insurance considerations;
- Aircraft wreckage removal if required; and
- ERP training and practice.
Further guidance on the ERP is contained in the ICAO SMM 4th edition.