HERO Database Provides Aircraft To Aid Workers

NBAA members are offering their assistance this week with Hurricane Sandy rescue and cleanup efforts.  NBAA announced Wednesday that companies and operators participating in NBAA’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database are currently working with national emergency agencies and personnel to assist with post-storm relief.

The NBAA HERO database is made up of a list of people and companies throughout the business aviation community who have volunteered to assist with disaster-response efforts.  While ground transportation is often utilized in assisting with these efforts, business aircraft have long served as a lifeline to people and communities in crisis, and are uniquely suited to provide a first response to natural disasters and other emergencies.

Robin Eissler, President of the Sky Hope Network, said her organization has staged aircraft of varying types between New York City and Wilmington, Delaware that are ready to be utilized as needed.  “At the moment, much like the rest of the country, we're waiting to see what the damage is and what efforts will be needed in the hours immediately following the storm's passage," she added. "Our focus is specifically on life-saving flights and placing aviation assets where they are needed most."

Operators interested in registering their aircraft on the HERO database can also note their specific skills that could be used during relief efforts.  In the aftermath of a crisis, NBAA provides basic information from the database to dozens of business aircraft operators and other organizations to assist with coordinating relief.

"We work with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) to determine what their needs might be, and when they will require our assistance," explained Marianne Stevenson, president of aviation relief organization AERObridge. "At this point we're monitoring the situation and preparing to respond as needed to the relief effort following Sandy."

NBAA Air Traffic Services continues to provide operational guidance via a dedicated Sandy resource page at www.nbaa.org/sandy. Before flying in areas impacted by Sandy, NBAA encourages operators to continue to check FAA NOTAMs, obtain current weather briefings and contact FBOs or airport officials at their destination for the latest conditions. NBAA Air Traffic Services provides regular updates on this and other airspace-related topics via its Twitter feed.

FMI: www.nbaa.org