Introduction

In the complex and inherently high-risk environment of air travel, Emergency Planning and Airport Contingency Management are not merely regulatory obligations but paramount strategic functions that ensure the safety, resilience, and operational continuity of an airport in the face of unforeseen events. From natural disasters and aircraft accidents to security breaches and public health crises, airports are vulnerable to a wide array of emergencies that demand immediate, coordinated, and effective responses. Proactive planning, regular drills, and robust contingency frameworks are crucial to minimizing casualties, mitigating damage, resuming operations swiftly, and safeguarding the airport's reputation. The ability to effectively prepare for and manage a crisis distinguishes a resilient airport from one prone to severe disruption. This essential training course focuses on equipping aviation professionals with the expertise to master Emergency Planning and Airport Contingency Management.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to empower airport operations managers, emergency services personnel, safety officers, security chiefs, airline representatives, and local government officials with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to develop, implement, and test comprehensive emergency plans and contingency management protocols. Participants will gain a deep understanding of incident command systems, learn about various types of airport emergencies, master crisis communication strategies, and explore best practices for resource coordination and post-incident recovery. The course will delve into topics such as accident response, mass casualty management, security incident protocols, public health emergencies, business continuity planning, and the integration of emergency planning with Safety Management Systems (SMS). By mastering the principles and methodologies of Emergency Planning and Airport Contingency Management, participants will be prepared to lead effective responses, ensure operational resilience, and protect lives and assets during critical incidents.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Airport Operations Managers and Supervisors
• Airport Emergency Services (ARFF, Medical, Police) Chiefs and Personnel
• Airport Safety and Security Managers
• Airline Station Managers and Operations Staff
• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Regulators
• Local Government Emergency Management Officials
• Business Continuity and Crisis Management Professionals
• Public Relations and Communications Managers (for crisis communication)
• Airport Engineering and Maintenance Managers (for infrastructure recovery)
• Airport Medical Staff

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of emergency planning and contingency management in an airport context.
• Learn about the various types of airport emergencies and their specific response requirements.
• Acquire proficiency in developing comprehensive Airport Emergency Plans (AEPs).
• Comprehend the structure and application of the Incident Command System (ICS) for airport incidents.
• Explore strategies for effective communication and coordination during emergencies.
• Understand the importance of drills, exercises, and continuous review of emergency plans.
• Gain insights into post-incident recovery, business continuity, and lessons learned.
• Develop a framework for integrating emergency planning with Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Airport Emergency Planning

• Defining emergency planning and contingency management in aviation.
• The critical importance of readiness and resilience for airports.
• Regulatory requirements for Airport Emergency Plans (AEPs) (e.g., ICAO Annex 14).
• Overview of common airport emergency scenarios: aircraft accidents, natural disasters, security threats.
• Principles of multi-agency coordination and collaboration.

Module 2: Types of Airport Emergencies and Response Categories

• Aircraft emergencies (on-airport, off-airport accidents, hijackings, bomb threats).
• Structural fires and infrastructure damage.
• Public health emergencies (pandemics, outbreaks).
• Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, severe weather).
• Security incidents (active shooter, unauthorized access).
• Operational disruptions (power outages, system failures).

Module 3: The Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) Development

• Key components of a comprehensive AEP: roles, responsibilities, procedures.
• Establishing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Mobile Command Post (MCP).
• Resource identification and allocation for emergency response.
• Developing checklists, call trees, and communication matrices.
• Integrating the AEP with local/national emergency response plans.

Module 4: Incident Command System (ICS) in Airport Emergencies

• Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) and its structure.
• Roles and functions within ICS: Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Admin.
• Applying ICS principles to various airport incident scenarios.
• Establishing unified command for multi-agency responses.
• Effective communication and reporting within the ICS framework.

Module 5: Emergency Communication and Media Management

• Developing a crisis communication plan for airport emergencies.
• Establishing a Joint Information Center (JIC) for coordinated public messaging.
• Managing media inquiries and press conferences during a crisis.
• Utilizing social media for real-time updates and misinformation control.
• Communication with affected passengers, families, and airline stakeholders.

Module 6: Drills, Exercises, and Training

• Importance of regular full-scale and tabletop exercises for AEP validation.
• Planning, conducting, and evaluating emergency drills.
• Debriefing and lessons learned from exercises.
• Training requirements for all personnel involved in emergency response.
• Continuous improvement of emergency plans based on exercise outcomes.

Module 7: Post-Incident Recovery and Business Continuity

• Transition from emergency response to recovery operations.
• Damage assessment and infrastructure repair.
• Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for maintaining essential airport functions.
• Financial implications of emergencies and insurance considerations.
• Psychosocial support for responders and affected individuals.

Module 8: Integration with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Future Trends

• How emergency planning fits within the airport's overall Safety Management System (SMS).
• Using incident data to inform and improve emergency preparedness.
• Risk assessment for new or evolving emergency scenarios.
• Emerging threats and technologies impacting airport emergency planning (e.g., drone incidents, cyberattacks).
• Building a culture of preparedness and resilience across the airport community.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training