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The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) module provides contact management, document control, exercise scheduling, and readiness scoring for emergency response capabilities as required by 14 CFR Part 5 section 5.27.

Component Overview

ComponentPurposeRegulatory Basis
Contact DirectoryCentralized list of internal, external, and regulatory contacts for emergency activation.14 CFR 5.27(a) — coordination of emergency response planning
Document LibraryVersion-controlled repository for ERP documents, checklists, and distribution records.14 CFR 5.95 — SMS documentation
Exercise ProgramScheduled drills, tabletop exercises, and full-scale exercises with compliance tracking.14 CFR 5.27(b) — emergency response planning
Readiness ScoreComposite metric assessing overall ERP preparedness.14 CFR 5.73 — safety performance assessment

Contact Directory

The Contact Directory organizes emergency contacts into three tiers. All contacts include name, title, phone (primary and alternate), email, and role-specific notes.

Contact Categories

CategoryAPI ValueDescriptionExamples
InternalinternalOrganization personnel with emergency response roles.Accountable executive, safety manager, chief pilot, director of maintenance, operations manager.
ExternalexternalThird-party resources activated during emergencies.Go-team members, legal counsel, insurance adjuster, employee assistance program (EAP), medical providers, family liaison.
RegulatoryregulatoryGovernment agencies requiring notification after certain events.NTSB (800-424-0433), FAA FSDO, TSA, local law enforcement, airport authority.

Contact Record Fields

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
nameStringYesContact name or agency name.
titleStringNoPosition or title.
categoryEnumYesInternal, external, or regulatory.
role_in_erpStringYesSpecific function during an emergency (e.g., “Initial notification coordinator”).
phone_primaryStringYesPrimary contact number.
phone_alternateStringNoBackup contact number.
emailStringNoEmail address.
notification_orderNumberYesSequence in which this contact is notified (1 = first).
available_24_7BooleanYesWhether this contact is reachable at all hours.
notesTextNoSpecial instructions or access codes.
last_verifiedDateAutoDate the contact information was last confirmed accurate.

Verification Requirements

Contact information requires verification at least annually. Automated reminders are sent 30 days before the verification anniversary. Contacts not verified within 12 months are flagged as stale on the readiness dashboard.

Document Library

The Document Library stores all ERP-related documents with version control, distribution tracking, and acknowledgment receipts.

Document Types

TypeAPI ValueDescription
Emergency Response Planerp_planThe master ERP document.
Notification Checklistnotification_checklistStep-by-step contact notification sequence.
Family Assistance Planfamily_assistanceProcedures for supporting families of involved persons.
Media Response Guidemedia_responseGuidance for spokesperson and media interactions.
Post-Accident Procedurespost_accidentProcedures for evidence preservation, wreckage security, and NTSB coordination.
Go-Kit Inventorygo_kitChecklist of items in the emergency go-kit.
Exercise Recordsexercise_recordAfter-action reports from completed exercises.

Version Control

FeatureDescription
Version numberingAutomatic sequential versioning (v1, v2, v3…).
Change trackingEach version records what changed and who changed it.
Distribution listRecords which personnel received each version.
AcknowledgmentRecipients must acknowledge receipt; completion percentage is tracked.
RetentionPrevious versions are retained and accessible for audit purposes.

Exercise Program

The Exercise Program tracks scheduled drills and exercises required to maintain ERP proficiency and demonstrate compliance.

Exercise Types

TypeAPI ValueFrequencyDescription
Notification Drillnotification_drillQuarterlyTest the notification chain by contacting all ERP personnel. Measure response times.
Tabletop ExercisetabletopSemi-annuallyScenario-based discussion exercise where participants walk through their roles in a simulated emergency.
Functional ExercisefunctionalAnnuallyOperational exercise testing specific ERP functions (e.g., family notification, media response).
Full-Scale Exercisefull_scaleEvery 2 yearsComprehensive exercise involving all ERP components, external agencies, and simulated real-world conditions.

Exercise Record Fields

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
typeEnumYesNotification drill, tabletop, functional, or full-scale.
dateDateYesDate the exercise was conducted.
scenarioTextYesDescription of the exercise scenario.
participantsArrayYesPersonnel who participated.
objectivesArrayYesWhat the exercise aimed to test.
findingsArrayNoGaps or issues identified during the exercise.
corrective_actionsArrayNoActions to address identified gaps (linked to CPAs).
after_action_reportFileNoUploaded after-action report document.
next_dueDateAutoCalculated based on exercise type frequency.

Compliance Tracking

The system tracks whether each exercise type has been completed within its required frequency. Overdue exercises appear on the readiness dashboard and trigger notifications to the safety manager.
StatusConditionDisplay
CurrentCompleted within the required frequency period.Green
Due SoonWithin 30 days of the required frequency deadline.Yellow
OverduePast the required frequency deadline.Red

Readiness Score

The ERP Readiness Score is a composite metric (0 — 100) that assesses overall emergency response preparedness.

Scoring Components

ComponentWeightScoring Criteria
Contact currency25%Percentage of contacts verified within 12 months.
Document currency25%Percentage of documents reviewed/updated within 12 months; acknowledgment completion rate.
Exercise compliance30%Percentage of exercise types completed within their required frequency.
Gap closure20%Percentage of exercise-identified corrective actions that are closed.

Score Bands

BandRangeInterpretation
Ready90 — 100ERP is well-maintained and exercised. Organization is prepared.
Acceptable75 — 89Minor gaps exist but overall readiness is adequate.
Needs Attention60 — 74Notable gaps in contacts, documents, or exercise compliance.
At Risk0 — 59Significant preparedness gaps requiring immediate management attention.

Dashboard Visibility

The Readiness Score appears on the SMS safety dashboard alongside SPIs. It is included in quarterly management review data. Visible to Admin and Safety Manager roles.

Regulatory Alignment

Part 5 SectionRequirementERP Component
5.27(a)Coordination of emergency response planningContact Directory, notification procedures
5.27(b)Emergency response planningDocument Library, Exercise Program
5.73Safety performance assessmentReadiness Score
5.95SMS documentationDocument Library version control
5.97SMS recordsExercise records, contact verification logs

Set Up Your ERP

ERP module configuration.

The Four Pillars

How the ERP fits within the Safety Policy pillar of SMS.

CPA Lifecycle

How exercise findings generate corrective actions.

SPI Definitions

Safety Performance Indicators tracked alongside ERP readiness.
Last modified on April 11, 2026