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1 This synthesis focuses on emergency exercises that airports can effectively use to improve the safety of passengers, airport visitors, and employees at airports, in particular persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs (DAFN). Throughout this report the acronym DAFN will be used to indicate individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. The information presented in this synthesis was gathered by a literature review and telephone interviews with 23 airports, 3 airlines, and 4 aviation-oriented organizations. Based on the data collected, 16 conclusions and 6 suggestions for further research are presented. Five conclusions stand out: 1. Airports appear to be becoming more involved in integrating DAFN in emergency plan- ning and exercises. 2. Participants report that airports, airlines, and agencies need to be clear on their responsibili- ties toward passengers in each type of emergency and at each stage of their passage through an airport, and realistic emergency exercises can test this clarity. 3. A disabilities advisory committee can benefit an airportâs emergency planning and exercises; general operations; and facility design. 4. Airport emergency drills are more realistic when the DAFN community participates. 5. Evacuation times may not accurately be estimated between exercises and real-life emer- gencies due to the actual needs of the DAFN community. Additional conclusions are presented in Chapter 4. Further research appears to be needed in the following six areas: 1. Defining the roles of airport ADA coordinators 2. Establishing the means to work with teams of humans and their service animal partners 3. Determining the effects of the sensory environment in terminals on DAFN persons during evacuations 4. Integrating airport emergency management into regional emergency management 5. Exploring the feasibility of making skycaps and wheelchair service providers common use 6. Developing targeted training and educational materials for airport stakeholders who work with the DAFN community S U M M A R Y Incorporating ADA and Functional Needs in Emergency Exercises
