Aircraft Emergency Response - Essay Example

Aircraft emergency response Aircraft emergency response Aircraft emergency response 2 Aircraft emergency response INTRODUCTION Safety is paramount for both professions, but cost issues can influence the commitment of resources for safety efforts. Majority of aircraft incidents occur within 1000 metres of the airport. An aircraft fire usually involves large amounts of fuel and is quick to develop with intense heat. The economic and social effects of aircraft accidents including loss of life and destruction of property. Actions after major accidents and other disasters in various parts of the world have shown the value of being prepared for the type of event that everyone hopes will never occur. The planning processes should be interlinked to ensure that the company is able to take appropriate initial actions, and then continue managing the emergency crisis for an unspecified duration. Ultimately, the aim of comprehensive emergency response and crisis management planning is to minimize pain and suffering of all associated in the event of an accident in the airport premises or its immediate vicinity and to save human lives All airports authorities should have aircraft rescue and fire-fighting services and equipment, for procedures for handling aircraft fire emergencies, and for specialized vehicles used to perform these functions at airports, with particular emphasis on saving lives and reducing injuries coincident with aircraft fires following impact or aircraft ground fires. Everything that can be done to protect the health and life of the individual must have priority over maintaining aircraft equipment and facilities, however valuable these may be. Human life comes first; efforts to salvage aircraft, buildings or technical equipment are secondary. Aircraft emergency response 3 Emergency response to a major aircraft accident As rightly quoted: "If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial." Wilbur Wright, from an address to the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, 18 September 1901.(Mahendra 13) Emergency response is a product of preparedness. Especially the first responders: fire, police, emergency medical service, and building safety professionals. Major accidents are being studied by many emergency response agencies to achieve workable response procedures using a specific set of guidelines applicable to each type of occurrence. As in nearly all countries, the guidelines and recommendations set out in Annex 14 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) applies to fire fighting and rescue services. Planning for the crisis is the key to minimizing the harmful effects of aircraft accident. Every airport is categorized for rescue and fire safety purposes in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, depending on the maximum total length and fuselage width of the aircraft normally used at the airport. Some of the regulatory requirements for international airport authorities and covered by the existing regulations include (Shantakumar 29): 1. The minimum number of vehicles and quantities of extinguishing agents, emergency equipment and the qualifications and training of personnel that must be made available by the airport operator; Aircraft emergency response 4 2. A three-minute response time for first-response vehicle(s) responding to an emergency at applicable airports; 3. A minimum of 90 per cent coverage of commercial aircraft conducting regular flights, and in addition, coverage of 100 per cent of all 20-passenger aircraft. 4. The presence of qualified personnel, trained who are able to deliver aircraft rescue and firefighting service at the airport during operating hours; 5. The annual testing of emergency services conducted, monitored and enforced to evaluate response times and confirm that the emergency services being provided adhere to the standards specified in the regulation; and 6. A statistical collection program of aircraft movements and type to confirm emergency services are commensurate with the size and frequency of aircraft using the airport. The Emergency Response Services (ERS) team at all international and domestic Airport is an integrated emergency service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and responds to any aircraft emergency. The Emergency Response Planning evaluates all aspects of emergency response planning and family assistance. Its aim is to establish related international standards and practices for aircraft accidents. (Shantakumar 18) The principal objective in providing an aircraft fire-fighting service is to save lives in the event of an aircraft emergency on the airport. Emergency response plans are to be developed considering that staff are capable of carrying out those duties expected of them, and are given sufficient ongoing training to assure supervisors and executives of their competence. Aircraft emergency response 5 Emergency Procedures Plans are formulated by the airport authority Plans outline the roles and responsibilities of various agencies (ATC, ERS, Airport Operations, Police, Ambulance, etc.) depending on the type of emergency. They are not only aircraft fire specialists, but are trained in structural firefighting and emergency medical response. They ERS team is also trained to respond to dangerous goods incidents and motor vehicle accidents. And stand by for "hot refueling" of airliners, and any other aircraft related incidents. Guideline manuals for Emergency response to a major aircraft accident such as Crash on airport and off airport, structural fire, bomb threat buildings and aircrafts, hijack and hostage taking medical emergency and armed attack are to be planned and practiced. In addition ERS should always operates a multi emergency vehicle that responds to all medical emergencies as well as motor vehicle accidents and incidents in the airport area. Emergency Procedures Plans are practiced at regular intervals to ensure an optimal level of familiarization and readiness for each of the emergency agencies .The most important things to do is be prepared. When the accident happens, the adrenaline will be flowing and a lot will be happening. The key is to stop, assess the situation, and devise an initial plan before leaping into action. (Shantakumar 20) Equipment used in aircraft accident Emergency response services in the airport should have a comprehensive Fire Protection Inspection Program that covers areas of Fire Protection Equipment such as fire hydrants, fire extinguishers and hose cabinets as well as runway, emergency vehicles and equipment inspections. An aircraft fire-fighting service is tasked with the primary Aircraft emergency response 6 responsibility of providing a fire free route for the evacuation of passengers and crew following an aircraft accident. And not to limit the fire-fighting service from providing services in addition to that of aircraft fire-fighting at the airport. Extinguishing Agents and Equipment The principal extinguishing agent shall be foam suitable for the type of equipment to be used, and the foams provided as principal extinguishing agents. The complementary extinguishing agent shall be a dry chemical powder suitable for the type of equipment to be used, and compatible with the foam or foams selected for use as the principal extinguishing agent at the airport. Minimum number of rescue and firefighting vehicles are also stipulated according to the airport category. In general all major airports do have has three major Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles that have a combined capacity of 24,000 litres of water, 3134 litres of foam and 681 kg of dry chemical. (Wiegnan 38) Planned Response: Aviation accidents may be caused by problems originating from mechanical difficulties, pilot error, or acts of terrorism. The firefighters should respond from the Fire hall to the mid point of the furthest runway in less than 3 minutes of an alarm being activated. Victim rescue and fire oppression will be the Fire Department's primary focus. Fire and rescue units will be activated and a Field Command Post will be established. The Fire Department will assume Incident Command in the field. Other City departments will support the Fire Department as outlined in the Emergency Procedures Plans. As the off-site aviation accident area transitions from one of rescue and fire Aircraft emergency response 7 suppression to recovery other services will be drawn upon. Restoration of utilities, determination of structural safety and integrity, and street maintenance may be required to bring the situation back to normal. The passengers and crew and their families are provided with specialized support. Meeting their post-rescue needs is principally the responsibility of the airline that owns the aircraft. When the accident occurs off the airport site, members of the community are also victims, either through the direct mechanism of the accident, or through the disruption to community infrastructure caused by the crash. Aid to these victims will come initially through community consequence management resources. (Wiegnan 50) Once the rescue is complete and all fires have been put out, the focus shifts to crime scene preservation and evidence protection. Accident prevention plan by the airport authorities Airport Security Procedures are designed to deter, prevent, and respond to criminal acts that may affect the safety and security of the airport and traveling people. Aircraft security procedures include (Shantakumar 67): 1. Screening of persons, and carry on baggage 2. Screening of checked baggage 3. Security of aircraft 4. Bomb threats 5. Security equipment 6. Security of mail and cargo 7. Threats against aircraft Aircraft emergency response 8 The Airport authorities should develop a programme to provide the basis for government and the private sector to coordinate and interrelate in the event of an off-site aviation accident to save life and protect property. Mutual Agreements are to be made with local Municipalities, defense establishments who do have better fire fighting facilities etc. to provide police, fire and ambulance services to the Airport in the event of an aviation incident. An aircraft accident is also unique in creating an event with a two level public safety response. Initially local law enforcement will focus on supporting victim rescue and damage abatement operations through providing scene security and access control, traffic control, and crowd control. Services to the impacted residential community may include warning and evacuation assistance, and neighborhood security. Search and Rescue Services as well as associated support activities as rapidly and orderly as possible in the face of aviation emergency. An aviation incident is not an emergency but may necessitate an immediate response to prevent an accident from happening and does require a written report. When an accident does happen, one very common factor occurs and that is confusion. This Emergency Aviation Response Plan is formulated beforehand where most of the steps that must take place in the advent of an aviation emergency, and this will eliminate most of the confusion that usually occurs when something happens. This document should be an integral part of the flight watch and flight following that is a mandatory part of any aviation operation. Aircraft emergency response 9 PRIORITY LIST FOR AIRCRAFT CRASH Observation of flights in operation has identified failures of compliance, communication, procedures, proficiency, and decision-making in contributing to errors. 1. Assist survivors and render first aid at the earliest and have medical personnel called and dispatched immediately. 2. If there is danger of post crash fire, move survivors a safe distance away. 3. Keep bystanders and unauthorized personnel out of the crash area. 4. Establish a "No Smoking Rule" immediately. 5. Search the wreckage and surrounding area carefully for other survivors. 6. Arrange to: a) Medical Aid and Air Ambulance b) Local RCMP c) Provincial Aviation Safety Committee d) Spill Response if hazardous materials involved 7. Preserve the accident site. Every piece of the aircraft and its location is important to investigators. Nothing should be disturbed or taken. In aviation, accidents are usually highly visible, and as a result aviation has developed standardized methods of investigating, documenting, and disseminating errors and their lessons. Aircraft emergency response 10 CONCLUSION Optimum flight safety, preserving national resources and preciously trained aircrew is the duty of one and all. The aircraft authorities can contribute tremendously to flight safety. Proper maintenance and effective supervision can work miracles in Aircraft emergency responses. Aircraft accidents are infrequent, highly visible, and often involve massive loss of life, resulting in exhaustive investigation into causal factors, public reports, and remedial action The problems that need to be considered and resolved commence at the time of the impact, and may continue for many years. There is only one proven way to combat the effects of the event; a well formulated and accepted aircraft emergency response plan supported by trained staff and strong leadership. At the heart of managing a crisis is a quick and positive response, achieved through planning, exercise and practice. (Shantakumar 190) However, just as management of a company's operations is by human beings, management of an accident and its aftermath is by people, and is therefore subject to human frailties. The complexity and sophistication of the equipment used by an organization is unimportant unless the individual is prepared to deal with the unexpected, the system failure. Preparing for the unexpected is vital to successful emergency response planning. Lastly, during the actual period of the crisis, senior executives will need to ensure that overall leadership remains positive. This is the key. Thorough planning supported by strong leadership is vital to the success of a protracted recovery. Leadership and motivation of airport department is of paramount importance. Aircraft emergency response 11 After an aircraft accident or crash, those who are involved in the operation of an airport or airline always need to act to lessen the effect of such a calamity on the public, their organization, and just as importantly, themselves and their staff. As quoted by Captain A. G. Lamplugh, British Aviation Insurance Group, London. Circa early 1930's: "Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect." This famous phrase has been reproduced on posters and plaques many times, with the attribution of 'anonymous'. (Mahendra 12) Aircraft emergency response 12 Reference Aviation Emergency Response Plan. Department Aviation Safety Committee. Retrieved November19, 2006, from http://www.se.gov.sk.ca/fire/pdf/Aviation%20Emergency%20Response%20Plan.pdf Mahendra J. World Famous Quotations.Sudha Publications.Delhi.1988 12-16. Shantakumar P. Aviation Journal. Sudha Publications. Delhi 2000 10-198 Wiegnan N. Aviation Emergency Response Analysis: Aviation Accident and Firefighting 2004.14-55. Read More