You have an airport emergency plan (AEP)/annex; having certain elements in your AEP will facilitate the integration of SM.

You do not currently have an airport emergency plan (AEP). Since this guidance is designed for the integration of social media (SM) into an existing plan, the AEP needs to be in place before you integrate. If you are not required by FAA to have a plan, you may fall under local jurisdiction’s plan. Proceed to Question 1A to assess further.

Emergency response to your airport is in a jurisdiction’s plan. If you have not done so recently, review the plan. You should consider having the jurisdiction’s emergency manager incorporated as one of the program Champions.

You do not currently have an AEP or you are part of a local jurisdiction’s plan. Consult the Resource tab to access documents and links for developing an AEP. As you develop your plan, utilize the guidance provided to include integration of SM.  Read through Part 1 “Understand” to see how SM integration is vital for your plan.

Compliance with Part 139 and the associated Advisory Circular 150/5200-31C ensures the basic elements needed to support your SM integration are in place. The Resources tab provides additional information and best practices for your review and consideration.

Not all airports are required to comply with the FAA regulation for Airport Emergency Plans.  Review the FAA’s Advisory Circular 150/5200-31C as well as other templates in the Resources tab to assess your plans. As you develop your SM/EM integration in “Part 3: Plan,” integration will be easier the closer your plan aligns with emergency management best practices.

Compliance with Part 139 and the associated Advisory Circular 150/5200-31C ensures basic elements needed to support your SM integration are in place.  The additional plans indicate you have taken a more indepth assessement of best practices for an airport beyond simple regulatory compliance.

Not all airports are required to comply with the FAA regulation for Airport Emergency Plans.  Review the FAA’s Advisory Circular 150/5200-31C as well as other templates in the Resources tab to assess your plans. As you develop your SM/EM integration in “Part 3: Plan,” integration will be easier the closer your plan aligns with emergency management best practices.

Having completed an all-hazards assessment will provide an excellent resource as you consider integration of SM into your EM program. “Step 7: Collaborate and Establish Vision, Goals, and Objectives” includes assessing the risk that SM adds.

An all-hazards risk assessment has not been conducted for your airport. This information is critical for understanding what types of events will impact your airport.  The Resources tab includes information on conducting the assessment. It is recommended that you work with someone who has conducted these in the past to implement an assessment at your airport. Your local or state emergency management departments may be able to assist you in this endeavor.

Having a crisis communication plan (CCP) provides you with a key element in properly managing information flow during an incident. “Step 10: Establish SM Operating Framework” includes message requirements and standards as you integrate SM into your CCP and AEP.

Most AEPs have some element of communications, but without a crisis communications plan (CCP), your airport will be missing the comprehensive approach to managing crisis communications. It is critical that you develop a CCP prior to integrating SM.  Access the Resources tab for materials on crisis communication planning.

Your stakeholders and responders understand their roles and responsibilities.  As you progress through “Step 7: Collaborate and Establish Vision, Goals, and Objectives,” include them in building goals and objectives to facilitate ongoing collaboration.

Your stakeholders and emergency response partners may not understand their roles and responsibilities related to incidents at your airport. Identifying and collaborating with stakeholders and responders is necessary for the successful outcome of an incident. You will likely have to do some foundational work in building bringing these partners together prior to developing SM integration. “Step 6: Define Stakeholders” and the information provided in the Resources tab will provide guidance in this area.

You have agreements in place to facilitate response and obtain the necessary resources.  As you integrate SM into your EM program, review and update these agreements as needed. “Step 9: Establish Integration Needs” provides further guidance in this area.

You do not have agreements in place to facilitate response and obtain the necessary resources.  The lack of agreements can complicate collaboration with your partners and may even limit your ability to receive financial assistance/reimbursement.  As you integrate SM into your EM program, develop agreements as needed. “Step 9: Establish Integration Needs” provides further guidance in this area. Additional materials on developing memoranda of understanding and letters of agreement is available in the Resources tab.

Having conducted emergency exercises in the past 12 months, take this time to review any lessons learned and any outstanding tasks from your after action report. In the Resources tab, review best practices for incorporating SM into emergency exercises.

You have not conducted any exercises in the past 12 months. If you are new to emergency management or part of a jurisdiction’s plan, begin by gaining a better understanding of various exercise options (Resources tab). Use the exercises (simple at first) to help assess your plan and to build upon your stakeholder relationships.