The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the agency that oversees Orlando International Airport, has become the first-ever airport operation to earn full accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP).
To obtain EMAP certification, the highest honor for emergency management and the only accreditation process for emergency management programs, an applicant must demonstrate through self-assessment, documentation and peer assessment verification that its program meets the Emergency Management Standard, which is designed to be flexible, thus enabling a variety of agencies and companies to tailor it to their needs, risks, resources and size.
All agencies seeking to receive the accreditation are judged against the Program’s 64 industry-wide standards, which assess and cover a variety of areas including program management, administration and finance, prevention, communications and warning, training, and incident management, among others.
Orlando International emergency management leaders began the accreditation process in February 2017, while working to put together a new emergency management program at the airport. Benefits include increased engagement with airport community stakeholders and strengthened plans and processes.
“Receiving this certification speaks volumes to the dedication and hard work of the Authority’s emergency management team and our partners,” said Phil Brown, the Authority’s chief executive officer. “As the busiest airport in the state of Florida, receiving this accreditation should provide an extra layer of comfort for the traveling public because they can know that Orlando International is prepared to respond to any emergency situation.”