Course Detail: TDAR - Disaster Assistance and Response

airplane on ramp rail people embracing

Overview

Are you prepared? What you say and how you respond to a transport accident could lead your organization to a successful conclusion, or cause damaging setbacks. The Disaster Assistance and Response Course, offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,  and developed for transportation professionals will guide participants through the preparation for a disaster involving the loss of life, the response to an event and recovery and the return to normal operation. Being prepared to assist those impacted by a disaster and understanding the roles of response partners are key components to effectively managing risk and ensuring business continuity.

Attendees will hear from former Safety Board responders, who have managed every major transportation accident since 1997, and gain valuable knowledge in understanding how to effectively support family assistance efforts for an organization involved in accident response.

This training will provide information and case studies that will inform attendees about each step of this emotionally charged and challenging response process. Instructors experienced in this work will deliver information critical to a successful response.

Laws & Acts

Several countries, including the US, have laws requiring aviation operators to ensure that victims of crashes are provided support as part of a coordinated response. In the US, federal law requires major, regional, cargo air carriers, some business jet and air tour operators, and passenger rail operators to have family assistance plans. These laws include:

  • Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 (49 U.S. Code sections 1136 and 41113)
  • Foreign Air Carrier Family Support Act of 1997 (49 U.S. Code section 41313)
  • Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2008 (49 US Code sections 1139 and 24316)
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has also had a longstanding interest in ensuring countries have disaster response plans. These include:
  • ICAO Doc 9998, "ICAO Policy on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and Their Families"
  • Doc 9973, "Manual on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and Their Families"
  • Recommended Practice 8.46 of Annex 9 which encourages Contracting States to establish legislation, regulations, and/or policies in support of assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families

This course can be completed independently, or toward the Embry-Riddle Certificate of Management in Aircraft Accident Investigation

Who Should Attend

As emergency assistance and response affects every individual and department, professionals working in various capacities across the transportation industry can benefit from this knowledge including:

  • Individuals responsible for planning, training and preparedness in transportation organizations
  • Representatives from local, state and federal agencies
  • Non-profit organizations tasked with local response to disasters
  • Emergency managers
  • Disaster response professionals
  • Safety professionals 
  • Public information officers
  • Risk managers

Course Objectives

After completing this course, attendees should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive and broad-based understanding of:

  • The NTSB and the accident investigation process
  • The legal aspects of disaster assistance - legislative responsibilities, ICAO guidance
  • Communicating effectively with grieving and traumatized family members
  • On-scene family assistance operations - the role of a coordinated operational response
  • Importance of a coordinated forensic/victim identification operation
  • Key tools for response personnel - how to be an effective responder
  • Self-care and psychological first aid

Attendees Said ...

"This was a fantastic overview of disaster response, with the most substantial group of SMEs that I have the pleasure of learning from."

"I cannot believe how great, down to earth, knowledgeable and willing to share their experience was throughout this course. There was not a question that they left unanswered and offered REAL industry experience that I will ABSOLUTELY take back and implement at our organization."  Dulce Lucero, Operations Training Coordinator, Daytona Beach International Airport

"There is no group better than the NTSB at  collecting and disseminating complicated and emotional information to the grieving public and families. Access to Sharon, Paul and Robert is absolutely priceless. Their combination of depth of expertise and compassion made this entire course a once in a lifetime opportunity." Theresa Collington, Vice President, Tucker/Hall 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Embry-Riddle will award 2.1 CEUs to each attendee who successfully completes the course.

Registration Information

The preferred method of payment is credit-card at the time of registration. If you are paying by another method of payment (wire-transfer, employer voucher, check/PO), please 'Create Profile' from the left menu and then contact Daytona Beach ProEd to submit a registration request. Please note registrations are not guaranteed until payment is received in full.

Cancellation Policy

A cancellation charge of $150 will be assessed on any standard cancellations. A late cancellation charge of 25% of the course registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within 14 days of the start of the course. For additional information, please review the detailed cancellation, deferment, no-show and refund policies.

 Session Information: D0425-TDAR-F1

Schedule: The course will be offered from April 1-3, 2025 from 8am to 4pm in Daytona Beach, FL.

Times: 08:00am-04:00pm EDT

Additional Information

Contact: Crystal Fornataro
Email: dbproed@erau.edu
Tel: 386.226.2983

Instructors

Name Additional Resources
Sharon Bryson
Paul Sledzik
Robert Sumwalt

Facility Detail

Daytona Beach Campus
Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety (Daytona Beach Campus, FL)
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Facility Resources
Daytona Beach Hotels - ERAU Special Rates Information
ERAU Daytona Beach Campus - Building Map and Parking Lots

Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety (Daytona Beach Campus, FL)