FY23 Pre Accident Plan Exercise.pptx

AASF FY23/24 Pre-Accident Plan Exercise CONOP

NVARNG AASF #1

Contents Intent Goals Participants (Internal) Areas of Interest for AASF Personnel Participants (External) Required Resources Exercise Concept Example Exercise Timeline

Intent To conduct a full exercise of the NVARNG AASF #1 pre-accident plan, involving all participants internal and external to the organization, as much as practicable, in order to stress-test the plan and enable the organization to learn and improve by defining and refining steps in the plan that are ambiguous or lack depth.

Goals Stress-test AASF Pre-Accident Plan and the participants in every aspect possible to identify gaps in organizational knowledge and weaknesses in the plan itself.

Gather as much information as possible from exercise through white cell, documentation used, AARs, etc. in order to improve plan.

Create organizational muscle memory that can be carried forward regardless of who is in each position to allow as efficient and effective execution of the plan in a real-world mishap response.

Not turn exercise into a flawless or scripted performance.

Participants (Internal NVARNG)

AASF

Flight Operations Facility Commander Operations Officer Safety Officer Maintenance Officer

SAAO

Unit Commanders/ASO/AMO State Surgeon State AVN MED OIC (Flight Surgeon) Public Affairs

JOC

State Safety Office State Security Chaplain

Areas of Interest The following are areas of interest for AASF participants during the exercise that are tasks, duties, interactions, etc. that are not normally undertaken by the participants and will be beneficial to the organization to gain further knowledge of the pre-accident plan by accomplishing.

Steps listed in parentheses correspond with that individual’s duties listed in the AASF pre-accident plan.

Areas of Interest: Flight Ops Calling 911 Normally only simulated, being able to talk to a real dispatcher and hear their protocol will allow the organization to adjust our initial information gathering in order to facilitate a more efficient EMS response. (Steps 1 and 2 duties) Quarantine of flight records A function 15Ps are aware of, but have probably never done before. Pre-coordination with CAFRS at Redstone might allow us to create dummy records that could be quarantined for the exercise and then deleted after. (Step 6) Full use of Overdue Aircraft Procedures Flight Ops personnel know it but rarely have to go through the full procedure. Could possibly pre-coordinate with FSS and Reno Tower to have them respond as part of the exercise, “relaying” the sighting of the downed aircraft by a simulated aircraft in the area they are in contact with.

Areas of Interest: Operations Officer Securing personal property of victims Not a task normally considered in an accident drill, so might be helpful to add to exercise to flesh out how this process would work in a real accident. (Step 5) Information flow up and down the chain of command Creating a realistic information flow environment for exercise, through a white cell or participation of the actual players in the exercise, will help define and refine the processes we have in place in the event of a real mishap. (Step 6) Coordination of Response Team This could take on many forms depending on the accident, but the Ops Officer can help facilitate the movement of the key personnel (safety and maintenance officers) to the mishap site for this exercise. (Step 7)

Areas of Interest: Operations Officer Notification to sequester health/dental records to Renown Medical Center Help to further flesh out our organization’s relationship with the provider of medical services crewmembers injured in an accident. Possibly develop a checklist, script, etc. that can reduce the ambiguity currently in the pre-accident plan and reduce time spent by the Ops Officer trying to figure this step out in a real-world event. (Step 9) Assisting Commander in preparation of next of kin notifications Not a step ever really discussed in previous pre-accident plan drills. Use exercise to reduce ambiguity as there is probably already a formal process in the state that we can incorporate. (Step 10) Assembling records and calling 25th OWS for WX brief of mishap location Can help determine if they need any additional information or if report comes in a different format. Good task to assign to personnel that don’t usually need to call for weather like Flight Ops. (Step 12)

Areas of Interest: Aviation Safety Officer Calling State Safety It will be good to get them involved in the exercise to add to the information flow up and down the chain. The exercise will hopefully help to define and refine all levels of safety support and assets available in the event of a real world mishap. (Step 1) Mishap site activities It will be good practice to bring out the crash kits and work through some of the practical aspects of securing a mishap site, interacting with civilian EMS and law enforcement to better understand the relationship between all parties in an Army accident. (Steps 2,3,4 and 5) External Notifications Calling ARNG Watch Arlington, ARNG-AVS branch chief and the US Army CRC will give good practical feedback and insight into the most important things the ASO can be doing in the early stages of a mishap response. (Steps 6, 7 and 8) Notifying HAZMAT/Environmental Officer of hazmat present Any aviation mishap will have hazmat present. Previous spill response exercises helped forge good relationships with AASF, state and RTS airport management and this can build on that. (Step 11)

Areas of Interest: Maintenance Officer Mishap Site Activities Similar to ASO, will be useful to conduct activities in conjunction with civilian personnel and help better understand what to expect in the event of a real mishap with civilian responders. (Steps 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7) Quarantining maintenance records to include 6 month file Go through the steps of actually quarantining the records, possibly by creating a dummy aircraft or working with ACN on a way to do it without leaving a permanent record on a real aircraft. (Step 8)

Areas of Interest: Facility Commander Submitting a Serious Incident Report to the JOC Create and submit a SIR for the exercise. (step 1) Notify Chaplain for NOK notification Go through the process to see if what is in the AASF pre-accident plan is adequate or if a process at the state level that already exists can be included. (Step 4) Brief the SAAO of mishap Determine if there needs to be a formal briefing. The SAAO is likely already informed in the initial notification chain, so this exercise can help define what we are asking of the facility commander in this step. (Step 5)

Areas of Interest: Flight Surgeon Coordinate with Renown Medical Center for casualties The exercise can help refine and define the relationship between the ARNG and Renown to reduce ambiguity for what the Flight Surgeons need to do in a real mishap. (Step 1) Coordinate with local authorities for injuries and fatalities Establish relationships with the relevant authorities during the exercise so that the first time isn’t during a real mishap. (Step 2) Specimen Collection Currently being revised for living mishap crewmembers, also need to ensure the process is defined and understood for fatality specimen collection. Very strict guidelines from Division of Forensic Toxicology in what is collected and how chain of custody is maintained for living and deceased crewmembers. (step 3)

Areas of Interest: Flight Surgeon Securing health and dental records of crewmembers Have flight surgeons physically and electronically go through the process to ensure they understood how to accomplish this during exercise. (Step 4) Assist with ID of remains and coordination with Graves Registration for removal of fatalities Use the exercise to ensure this process is well understood and able to be accomplished by the flight surgeons. (Step 9) ALSE secured from mishap site and sent to USAARL at Ft. Rucker Use exercise to define and refine this process by flight surgeons. (Step 12)

Participants (External NVARNG)

EMS

Reno Fire Department (RFD) Truckee Meadows Fire District (TMFD) Reno Police Department (RPD) Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO)

REMSA

Renown Medical Center Reno-Stead Airport Authority ARNG Watch Arlington ARNG-AVS Branch Chief US Army CRC Press/Media

Participants: Reno Fire Department Importance: RFD Station 9 is the closest EMS response to any mishap on or near KRTS/AASF #1. Most likely to be directed by 911 Dispatch to scene.

Coordination Required: AASF has a previous working relationship with RFD Station 9 from spill response exercise in 2021. Was crucial in setting up direct coordination with 911 dispatch, allowing Flight Ops to talk to actual dispatcher during exercise. Early coordination with RFD will help with easier access to other aspects of EMS response. Recommend joint training on aircraft familiarization/crew extraction prior to exercise.

Participants: 911 Importance: Being able to talk directly to 911 during the exercise helps Flight Ops understand what will be asked of them and creates a familiar working relationship. Was a big AAR positive from spill response exercise conducted in 2021.

Coordination Required: Previous spill response exercise coordination was done through RFD. If possible, follow same route and let them handle it on their end, unless 911 dispatch wants more direct input into exercise to benefit them.

Participants: Truckee Meadows Fire District Importance: TMFD is the next closest permanent EMS asset after RFD Station 9. They are also likely to be called and will benefit from gaining familiarization with NVARNG Aviation during exercise.

Coordination Required: RFD offered to reach out to TMFD for inclusion in future exercises after the spill response exercise in 2021. Ideally, they will also be invited to take part in aircraft familiarization and crew extraction training conducted with RFD.

Participants: Reno Police Department Importance: Depending on location of an actual mishap, RPD is likely to be called to help secure scene in the aftermath of a mishap.

Coordination Required: Law enforcement participation in the exercise is probably less important to meet the intent, however if they are willing and able to participate it will be good to include them. 991st has members in RPD, so initial coordination could be done through them to contact the correct personnel on their end.

Participants: Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Importance: Depending on location of an actual mishap, WCSO is likely to be called to help secure scene in the aftermath of a mishap.

Coordination Required: Law enforcement participation in the exercise is probably less important to meet the intent, however if they are willing and able to participate it will be good to include them. 991st has members who fly for WCSO, so initial coordination could be done through them to contact the correct personnel on their end.

Participants: REMSA Importance: REMSA is the ambulance service in the region and is most likely to respond via ground to a mishap.

Coordination Required: REMSA involvement will depend on how far down we want to go in acting out the scenario. Having initial responders (RFD, TMFD, etc.) treat survivors on scene might be enough, however if we want more agencies getting exposure to our organization and processes it could be valuable to include REMSA. This might be coordinated through RFD as well.

Participants: Renown Medical Center Importance: Renown is medical facility listed in the AASF pre-accident plan to receive survivors in the event of a mishap. Even if they are not physically involved in the scenario, it is important that Aviation Medicine interact with them as part of the exercise.

Coordination Required: Members of the 991st have relationships with the organization, or people who work for the organization. This would be a good opportunity to further flesh out who the flight surgeons would be contacting at Renown in the event of a mishap so that we can include them as part of the exercise.

Participants: Reno-Stead Airport Authority Importance: If the exercise is being conducted at RTS they need to be aware prior to the event.

Coordination Required: They should be involved early on in case we need to put up a NOTAM or they have other requirements to it occurring on airport property. They can also help inform the RTS aviation community about the exercise In the event of an actual mishap on RTS they would need to be contacted to coordinate the response efforts. AASF personnel have working relationships with the manager and should be able to facilitate this coordination.

Participants: ARNG Watch Arlington Importance: Safety Officer’s duty to contact in the event of a mishap.

Coordination Required: It would be beneficial to go through the process of contacting them to help the ASO’s understand what that entails. CW3 Steere has worked with the NGB Aviation Safety POC and can reach out to help facilitate their involvement in the exercise.

Participants: ARNG-AVS Branch Chief Importance: Safety Officer duty to contact in a Class A, B or C accident.

Coordination Required: Need to reach out to determine how beneficial this participant will be during the exercise now that forms are submitted in ASMIS 2.0.

Participants: US Army CRC Importance: Safety Officer requirement to contact in the event of a mishap.

Coordination Required: It would be beneficial to go through the process of contacting them to help the ASO’s understand what that entails. CW3 Steere has worked with the CRC team for safety stand down briefings and can reach out to help facilitate their involvement in the exercise.

Participants: Press/Media Importance: In the shock during the aftermath of a mishap involving close friends and fellow soldiers, having to go in front of the media and give a briefing will probably be the last thing anyone in the command wants to have to do, but may be necessary.

Coordination Required: It is likely that the media will be invited to be present for the exercise itself regardless of their involvement, so the PAO’s staff will be integral in setting up the initial coordination. It will be a good experience for the organization to set up and give a mock briefing to the media in order to be prepared mentally and get an idea of the kinds of questions asked and answers that are allowed to be given following a mishap. Possible options include PAO staff acting as media, using volunteers from the media or CW3 Steere has family connection with staff of UNR’s School of Journalism (might be able to get journalism class to participate acting as members of media).

Idaho ARNG UH-60 Crash Following Morning Media Brief: https://www.facebook.com/idahonationalguard/videos/live-update-news-conference-regarding-the-idaho-army-national-guard-uh-60-black-/466380971044457/

Resources Required Contractor to assist in the development, execution and data capture of the exercise

IRS

White Cell Enable the execution of the exercise and maximize data capture, with exercise command cell.

Ideally at least one OC paired with each AASF/unit participant to observe and document.

Unit Members Possibly utilize unit members in key pre-accident plan positions who are not involved in exercise planning to allow more natural reactions to the exercise (i.e. unit ops officer, maintenance officer, ASO, etc.)

LAASF Personnel Invite LAASF personnel up to observe the exercise.

Exercise Concept Multi-Phase Exercise to accomplish full test of pre-accident plan and organization readiness:

Phase 1: Mishap Occurs A/C launches and sets up at the mishap site. Exercise initiates when Flight Ops begins overdue aircraft procedures.

Phase 2: Pre-Accident Plan Initiated Flight Ops initiates the Pre-Accident Plan when apparent a mishap has occurred.

Phase 3: Mishap Response Initiates with the Pre-Accident Plan and carries through as primary and secondary personnel conduct their assigned duties. EMS responds to scene. Press becomes aware of mishap. Concludes with the end of activities at mishap site, cleanup and mock media brief.

Example Exercise Timeline The following is an example timeline for the pre-accident plan exercise.

Timeline Phase 1: Mishap Occurs EX-60: Mishap A/C takes off from KRTS on training flight EX-30: Mishap A/C lands at Mishap site, LZ Condor, shuts down and readies injured crew and deceased mannequins EX+00: AASF Flight Ops attempts to make contact with mishap A/C after missed radio check EX+05: Flight Ops initiates overdue A/C procedures EX+14: Simulated aircraft in pattern responds to Flight Ops inquiry and locates mishap A/C, announcing it is crashed and on fire at mishap site EX+15: AASF Flight Ops initiates pre-accident plan

Timeline Phase 2: Pre-Accident Plan EX+15: Flight Ops calls 911 (pre-coordinated to talk direct to waiting dispatcher)

EX+20:

Flight Ops continues notification tree 911 directs RFD, TMFD, RPD, etc. to mishap site (pre-coordinated with all responding agencies)

EX+25:

Notified primary personnel start to report to Flight Ops EMS enroute to mishap site EX+30: Notified primary personnel begin pre-accident plan duties EX+35: Primary and secondary emergency notifications complete.

Timeline Phase 3: Mishap Response

EX+35:

EMS arrive at mishap site and begin simulated casualty treatment and fire fighting operations AASF Safety and Maintenance Officers arrive at mishap site and perform their duties EX+50: Mock injured survivors transported to higher care (simulated or actual depending on supporting agencies’ pre-coordinated request) EX+60: External notifications begin (simulated or pre-coordinated with relevant entities) AASF Commander submits SIR to JOC ASO notifies ARNG Watch Arlington and US Army CRC

Timeline Phase 3: Mishap Response EX+70: Flight Surgeons coordinate with Renown Medical Center for care of mishap personnel (simulated or pre-coordinated), specimen retrieval, etc.

EX+90:

Mishap personnel and aircraft records are collected/quarantined PAO arrives and begins fielding media inquiries (simulated or pre-coordinated with volunteers from the press) EX+120~: Activity at physical mishap site concluded. Aircraft recovered and flown back to AASF following cleanup of area.

EX+180 or more: Mock mishap briefing conducted at AASF or OTAG with command staff (PAO, SAAO, AASF CO, etc.) and members of the media (simulated or pre-coordinated with volunteers from the press) Exercise completed.

AARs conducted.

Mishap Site

Reno Fire Department Station Truckee Meadows Fire District Station

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