The Emergency Response Program (ERP) is Gold Aviation Services' plan for responding to any emergency involving our crew, personnel, guests, aircraft, and/or facility. It exists to provide clear procedures so the organization can respond effectively to a critical event should we need to.
The ERP covers aircraft accidents and incidents, overdue or missing aircraft, medical emergencies, fires, natural disasters, security incidents, and other critical events involving company personnel and/or assets.
Gold Aviation Services maintains this capability as part of our SMS under 14 CFR Part 5. Emergency response planning is a required Safety Policy element [14 CFR §5.23, AC 120-92D].
The ERP is a living document. It is reviewed and updated regularly and revised after organizational changes or lessons from drills and actual events.
The ERP is organized in five parts:
- Part A: Initial Notification Process and form
- Part B: Quick Reference Checklists by emergency type
- Part C: Role-specific checklists for Emergency Response Team members
- Part D: Detailed emergency response policy and procedures
- Part E: Forms, contact information, and definitions
As a general employee you will most likely interact with Parts A and B. You must know the ERP exists, where to find it, and what to do in the first few minutes of a potential emergency.
If you become aware of a potential emergency you become the Response Coordinator until a member of the ERT or more senior person takes over. This could be any employee.
Use the Initial Notification Form in Part A of the ERP. It guides you through confirming information, notifying the Emergency Response Team call list, verifying the emergency, and contacting the Activation Committee to decide on activation.
Once the ERT is established, the Emergency Response Director takes command. Assigned ERT members and personnel directly involved in the response report to the Emergency Response Director. The Emergency Response Center operates at the primary office. Access will be restricted to ERT members and authorized personnel.
If you are not an assigned ERT member your responsibilities during an active emergency are clear:
- Report in immediately if you become aware of an emergency.
- Complete the Initial Notification Form if you are first to know.
Do not enter the Emergency Response Center unless requested to.
Do not speak to the media. Only the person designated by the President may issue statements. If approached by media or the public your required response is:
"We don't have any information or details on an incident at this time.
I can have our company spokesperson contact you.
May I take a number or email address?"
Do not post on social media about any incident while a response is active. Do not release names of passengers or crew. Names are released only after next-of-kin notification.
Contact your own family to confirm your status once the ERT is established. This reduces incoming calls.
Gold Aviation Services supports families of passengers and crew during emergencies. The Family Assistance Coordinator manages next-of-kin notifications and ongoing support.
Notifications follow a defined order and are made by trained personnel. Names of passengers and crew are not released publicly until reasonable efforts have been made to notify next of kin.
Psychological support resources are available to ERT members and other personnel involved in the response.
An unpracticed ERP is far less effective. Gold Aviation Services conducts regular exercises to test the plan and identify gaps.
- Annual ERP Exercise (minimum): A tabletop walkthrough with no time pressure.
- Full Tabletop Drill every 36 months: A time-controlled simulation under realistic pressure.
First Aid, AED, and CPR training is encouraged for all personnel.
The ERP reflects Gold Aviation Services' commitment to protect our people, our assets, and our operations. By knowing the plan, reporting quickly, and following established procedures, every employee contributes to an effective response and helps safeguard our company.
Regular training and drills build the confidence and capability we need. Together we maintain a strong, prepared organization that puts safety and care for our people first.
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