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52 chapter six CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Analysis of the data led to 13 conclusions: 1. The survey data and case examples demonstrate that smaller airports can and do have active, effective exercise programs. 2. Many airports in the study, including four of the case example airports, view exercises as a conduit from safety to enhancing customer service. 3. Many airports that are not required to have exercises by FAR Part 139 choose to carry out tabletop and full-scale exercises. 4. Smaller airports benefit from having readily useful tools, which will save time and assist them in conducting effective exercises where there is a lack of capacity for training and development of exercises. Many larger airports and some smaller airports have usable, scalable exercise tools that they are willing to share with other airports. 5. A number of airports use exercise materials based on the DHS Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) but adapt them extensively to fit the airport environment. HSEEP is extremely detailed, which makes it harder to use by small airports with limited resources, but not impossible. Use of HSEEP may actually assist in the planning process, especially if the airport gets HSEEP training or support from community emergency manage- ment agencies that are familiar with the HSEEP process and/or has HSEEP resource models to follow from other airports. 6. Airports that use tabletop or full-scale exercises find benefits from using a building-block approach to exercises; that is, discussion-based exercises leading to tabletop exercises that lead to a full-scale exercise. 7. It is most helpful if an airportâs target capabilities determine the exercise scenario, not the other way round. It is important that airports of all sizes focus on a wide spectrum of scenarios chosen by considering the factors of likelihood, severity, and impact of all possible events. 8. Broad involvement of stakeholders, including both on-airport and off-airport partners, appears to be beneficial or even highly beneficial. Such partnering can minimize cost and maximize effectiveness of exercises. 9. Airports that use exercise control teams structured on Incident Command System principles and using an explicit exercise safety plan are typically more satisfied with their exercises. 10. Exercising communications procedures and plans is an important aspect that can be produc- tively incorporated into tabletop and full-scale exercises. 11. Formal evaluation forms and procedures are typically included in the plan for every exercise. 12. Airports that have an intentional, formal process for incorporating lessons learned from exer- cises into airport emergency plans, other plans, and procedures seem to be more satisfied with their preparedness and resiliency. 13. Metrics for emergency exercise effectiveness were not found. In addition, seven topics for further research that could be beneficial were identified: 1. A parallel study of aviation security (AVSEC) exercises for general aviation, reliever, non-hub, and small hub airports. 2. Potential for statewide or regional consortia for training and exercises for general aviation, non-hub, and small hub airports to share expertise and scarce resources. 3. Training and exercise guidance for local law enforcement agencies when responding to an incident at an airport, including how to enter airport and move around AOA.
53 4. HSEEP guidance specifically intended for airports. The present study may fill this need, but guidance in additional arenas would be helpful. 5. Methods for automated updating of call list databases and making databases and call lists con- sistent across all airport plans such as airport emergency plans, standard operating procedures, and airport security programs. 6. A possible connection among excellence in emergency management, customer service, traveler experience, and airport revenues. 7. Development and verification of widely accepted metrics for emergency management training, exercises, preparedness, and resiliency.