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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Aircraft Accidents - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Aircraft Accidents 417.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide Department members with guidelines for handling aircraft accidents. This policy does not supersede, and is supplementary to, applicable portions of the Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity, Emergency Management Plan and Hazardous Material Response policies. 417.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Aircraft - Any fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, balloon, blimp/dirigible or glider that is capable of carrying a person or any unmanned aerial vehicle other than those intended for non -comme rcial recreational use. 417.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Santa Monica Police Department to provide an appropriate emergency response to aircraft accidents. This includes emergency medical care (prior to the arrival of the Fire Department) and scene manageme nt. 417.3 ARRIVAL AT SCENE Officers or other authorized members tasked with initial scene management should establish an inner and outer perimeter to: (a) Protect persons and property. (b) Prevent any disturbance or further damage to the wreckage or debris, except to preserve life or rescue the injured. (c) Preserve ground scars and marks made by the aircraft. (d) Manage the admission and access of public safety and medical personnel to the extent necessary to preserve life or to stabilize hazardous materials. (e) Maintain a recor d of persons who enter the accident site. (f) Consider implementation of an Incident Command System (ICS). 417.4 INJURIES AND CASUALTIES Members should address emergency medical issues and provide care as a first priority. Those tasked with the supervision of the scene should coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) before the removal of bodies. If that is not possible, the scene supervisor should ensure documentation of what was disturbed, including switch/control positions and instrument/gauge readings. Policy 417 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Aircraft Accidents - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Aircraft Accidents 417.5 NOTIFICATIONS When an aircraft accident is reported to this Department, the responding supervisor shall ensure notification is or has been made to NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and when applicable, the appropriate branch of the military. Supervisors shall ensure other notificatio ns are made once an aircraft accident has been reported. The notifications will vary depending on the type of accident, extent of injuries or damage, and the type of aircraft involved. When an aircraft accident has occurred, it is generally necessary to notify the following: (a) Fire department (b) Appropriate airport tower (c) Emergency medical services (EMS) 417.6 CONTROLLING ACCESS AND SCENE AUTHORITY Prior to NTSB arrival, scene access should be limited to authorized personnel from the: (a) FAA. (b) Fire department, EMS or other assisting law enforcement agencies. (c) Coroner. (d) Air Carrier/Operators investigative teams with NTSB approval. (e) Appropriate branch of the military, when applicable. (f) Other emergency services agencies (e.g., hazardous materials team s, biohazard decontamination teams, fuel recovery specialists, explosive ordnance disposal specialists). The NTSB has primary responsibility for investigating accidents involving civil aircraft. In the case of a military aircraft accident, the appropriate branch of the military will have primary investigation responsibility. After the NTSB or military representative arrives on-scene, the efforts of this Department will shift to a support role for those agencies. If NTSB or a military representative determines that an aircraft or accident does not qualify under its jurisdiction, the on -scene Department supervisor should ensure the accident is still appropriately investigated and documented. 417.7 DANGEROUS MATERIALS Members should be aware of potentially d angerous materials that might be present. These may include, but are not limited to: (a) Fuel, chemicals, explosives, biological or radioactive materials and bombs or other ordnance. (b) Pressure vessels, compressed gas bottles, accumulators and tires. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Aircraft Accidents - 3 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Aircraft Accidents (c) Fluids, batteries, flares and igniters. (d) Evacuation chutes, ballistic parachute systems and composite materials. 417.8 DOCUMENTATION All aircraft accidents occurring within the City of Santa Monica shall be documented. At a minimum the documentation should include the date, time and location of the incident; any witness statements, if taken; the names of SMPD members deployed to assist; other City r esources that were utilized; and cross reference information to other investigating agencies. Suspected criminal activity should be documented on the appropriate crime report. 417.8.