Emergency Response Program
ERT Member Training

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) consists of Gold Aviation Services personnel who assume specific operational roles during an emergency. The ERT activates when needed and stands down when the response concludes. Assignment to the ERT (including alternates) means you have accepted a defined role with specific duties.

The ERT is led by the Emergency Response Director. During an active response all ERT members report to the Emergency Response Director regardless of normal reporting structure. This chain of command eliminates confusion about authority.

Current ERT assignments:

ERT roles can be reassigned during an active response if a member is unavailable or needs relief. A Role Transition Form documents the handoff. Requesting relief due to stress or fatigue is expected and not a failure.

The first hour of an emergency is critical. The ERP structures this period so roles are assigned, information is verified, and the response is organized.

Step 1: Initial Notification. Anyone who receives first word of a potential emergency becomes the Response Coordinator and completes the Initial Notification Form in Part A of the ERP.

Step 2: Verification. The Response Coordinator has up to 10 minutes to verify the emergency through an independent authoritative source. If verification is not possible within 10 minutes the emergency is marked Unconfirmed and the response continues.

Step 3: Activation decision. The Activation Committee decides whether to activate the ERP. They have 15 minutes to respond. If no response is received the Response Coordinator activates anyway.

Step 4: ERT establishment. The Emergency Response Director takes command and conducts an initial briefing. All known facts are shared, roles are confirmed or adjusted, and initial contact assignments are made.

For confirmed aircraft accidents the Emergency Response Director notifies the NTSB immediately. The NTSB Form 6120.1 must be filed within 10 days of a reportable accident or incident.

Each ERT role has defined responsibilities and a checklist in Part C of the ERP. You are expected to know your role before an emergency occurs.

The Emergency Response Center is the operational hub for the response. It is established quickly at the primary office location unless the Emergency Response Director designates an alternative.

Only ERT members and specifically authorized individuals may enter. The ERC must never be left unattended. Photography and recording inside the ERC are not permitted unless requested by an investigating regulatory authority (NTSB or FAA, not press).

The Response Center File is the master record. It contains all documents, forms, briefing minutes, and the incident timeline. All ERT members route information through the ERC Coordinator for inclusion in this file.

The Emergency Response Director establishes a recurring briefing schedule. You remain responsible for your duties until the Emergency Response Director explicitly relieves you.

Aviation emergencies involve multiple external agencies. The NTSB investigates civil aviation accidents and determines probable cause. The Emergency Response Director notifies the NTSB immediately for confirmed accidents. The NTSB Form 6120.1 must be filed within 10 days.

Aircraft wreckage may not be moved or disturbed except to remove injured persons, protect the wreckage from further damage, or protect the public from injury.

For international emergencies the Legal Coordinator contacts appropriate counsel. Do not remove personnel from the country without legal guidance.

An emergency response does not end when the immediate crisis stabilizes. The Emergency Response Director determines when the ERC can be stood down. Designated personnel continue managing ongoing obligations until fully resolved.

Before returning to normal operations the Emergency Response Director ensures family assistance is complete, required NTSB forms are filed, legal and insurance matters are initiated, and personnel currency is reviewed.

Following any activation or drill the ERP is reviewed for gaps. ERT member input is actively sought and improvements are incorporated.

ERT members must participate in:

• Annual ERP Exercise: tabletop walkthrough with no time limit.
• Full Tabletop Drill every 36 months: time-controlled simulation under realistic pressure.

This module counts as your initial ERP training. You will complete recurrent training when significant ERP revisions occur.