Organization Will Coordinate Resources, Match Assets With Missions

The business aviation community has a long history of providing flights and other support to help people and communities in the aftermath of natural disasters. Following this week's earthquake in Haiti, NBAA President Ed Bolen said the organization has heard from many Members wanting to volunteer aircraft, supplies and personnel to support earthquake relief efforts.

In response, Bolen says the NBAA has set up a specific and continually updated resource on the Association's web site to provide the latest operational information and help match available assets with people and organizations involved in coordinating missions into Haiti.

The site also provides for online registry of NBAA Member aircraft and other assets available to assist in relief efforts. NBAA is continually sharing the information entered into the registry with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Critical Incident Management Group, which is managing the government's response to the crisis and has requested information on available assets from the business aviation community.

Bolen (pictured, below) noted that general aviation aircraft may be needed to transport supplies and personnel to staging areas within the US to be designated by the CIMG, in addition to direct flights to and from Haiti. Operators who are unable or unwilling to fly to and from Haiti can still make significant contributions to relief efforts by facilitating such flights within the US.

Bolen said the Association will continue coordinating with officials from DHS, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration and others in government in the coming days.

In a letter to its members, Bolen said "[I]t is important to remember that, as this tragic situation unfolds, there will be a number of ways to assist those in need. Many organizations providing direct relief are very much in need of volunteer time and simple cash contributions to help fund their relief efforts, and I encourage you to consider those groups in your assistance planning."

Bolen says in the coming days, NBAA will keep members advised of the latest developments related to the earthquake.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/haiti