Aircraft Incident Response

Checklist 2 min
Download 
Be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to an aircraft accident or incident that occurs on or off base.

In the event of an aircraft accident, it is crucial for you to establish control of the internal and external narrative. You will do this by implementing the items in this checklist. Make sure each of these actions is carried out by yourself and/or a team member.

Check with your unit to ensure there are no local checklists that should be used instead.

  1. Verify the situation with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Crisis Action Team (CAT).
  2. Direct all necessary team members to their designated posts to perform their tasks.
    1. CAT Representative.
    2. EOC Representative
    3. Public Affairs Operations Center (PAOC) Representative.
    4. MOC Representative.
  3. Annotate details on the Accident and Incident Report.
  4. Cancel all scheduled or current public affairs (PA) events.
  5. Provide PA guidance to the commander within one hour after receiving notice of the event.
  6. Contact higher headquarters (HHQ) for guidance.
  7. Inform the commander that additional personnel is needed to staff the public affairs office if applicable.
  8. Receive the initial release from EOC and disseminate it to the appropriate publics.
  9. Make sure all released information:
    1. includes key information.
    2. contains messages from the command post.
    3. is free of errors.
    4. contains no critical information or security, accuracy, policy or propriety (SAPP) violations.
  10. Activate Straight Talk Center or text messaging service within four hours of the serious incident via answering machine or internet. Provide base personnel with:
    1. the authoritative point of contact.
    2. accurate information about the status of the accident.
    3. command's actions.
  11. Consult your social media strategy and decision matrix to determine if, what and where to post. Consider using the During a Crisis: Social Media Strategy Guidelines throughout the crisis.
  12. Prepare a briefing card that includes a list of all questions news organizations and the public could ask about the incident. Each question should:
    1. include an answer with information that is known at the time.
    2. indicate whether and when the information can be released.
    3. include an explanation of why the information is not available or when it is expected to be available.
  13. Revise the briefing card as needed to reflect new or updated information about the incident.
  14. Prepare fact sheet(s) for the equipment and situation.
  15. Prepare a news release for the base website and publications and a social media statement for online audiences.
  16. Make updated statements available to the military operations center.
  17. Provide the press with the initial DoD or service position on the breaking news story within four hours of the event.
  18. Document and respond to all media queries within eight hours.
  19. Clear all responses with the commander and HHQ before release.
  20. Forward all queries to headquarters for log.
  21. Send the situation report (SITREP) to HHQ as warranted.
  22. Provide an after-action report (AAR) to HHQ within seven days after the end of the event. The report should contain:
    1. a chronology of PA actions.
    2. problems encountered.
    3. community relations aspects.
    4. lessons learned.
  23. Publish information on the base website and social media, if applicable to your social media strategy, at least weekly. Follow up with the After a Crisis: Updating Your Social Media Strategy checklist.
  24. Log all activities in your local events log.
  25. Ensure all checklist items have been completed.

Discover More You May Like

View All Checklists
Five syringes injecting vaccines, powering a glass container, while surrounded by varieties of viruses, with a cyberpunk-themed user interface.

Combatting Information Disorder

Article
4 min
Explore tactics to prevent the spread of information disorder on the digital battlefield.
Master Sgt. Ieshea Lattimore, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing Staff Agency & A1 superintendent, left, and Master Sgt. Stephanie Williams Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team chief, collect and review in-processing documents from deployers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 18, 2023.

After a Crisis: Team Self Evaluation

Template
3 min
This Excel template helps a team evaluate its crisis performance to better prepare for any future crisis.
An illustration of a website surrounded by six jigsaw puzzle pieces, with each piece containing a single icon: a clock, a book, a folder with a padlock, an image, a chat bubble and a checkmark.

Leveraging an Information Dashboard During a Crisis

Article
8 min
Learn how making a dedicated webpage is a powerful tool when handling misinformation from a sustained crisis.
An airman reads a book to children seated on the floor.

Community Relations as a Process

Article
6 min
Review how Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation fits into the community relations process.
Illustration of two service members sitting behind a desk that says "DINFOS Live." Illustrations of a circle, square and triangle with wavy lines are scattered throughout.

DINFOS Live: Motion Graphics

Article
29 min
Learn about the history and purpose of motion graphics from DINFOS instructors.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Cranley, 423d Security Forces Squadron Base Defense Operations Controller, monitors base operations at RAF Molesworth, England, Sept. 8, 2023. SFS members at the Base Defense Operations Center are responsible for coordinating security on the installation and remain ready to coordinate responses to ensure the safety and security of the community and mission.

508 Compliance Audit: Website or Application

Checklist
7 min
Ensure your website, web applications and software are 508 compliant with this checklist.

View More