1 REGIONAL COOPERATION, COORDINATION, AND COMMUNICATION AMONG AIRPORTS DURING DISASTERS James Fielding Smith1 American Public University System 1 385 Sam Reed Rd NW, Floyd, VA 24091,
[email protected]. 2 REGIONAL COOPERATION, COORDINATION, AND COMMUNICATION AMONG AIRPORTS DURING DISASTERS Abstract Intensive workshops in South Florida (December 15, 2008), New England (May 7, 2009), and Minnesota (June 12, 2009) explored how regional cooperation, coordination, and communication among airports can promote preparedness and continuity of operations during disasters and catastrophes of all types. Previous site visits and on-site interviews at 20 U.S. airports ranging from the smallest commercial airports to major international airports provided background information to build the workshops, where representatives of airports, airlines, local responders, state agencies, and federal agencies gathered to discuss needs, opportunities, gaps, and barriers to increasing regional cooperation, coordination, and communication. The South Florida workshop led to the creation of a multimedia presentation on the Southeast Airport Disaster Operations Group (SEADOG) and Western Airport Disaster Operations Group (WESTDOG) which was used to open the New England and Minnesota workshops by presenting a functioning, organized model of regional cooperation. Analysis of the interview results and workshop discussions, clarified through review and correction by study participants, led to a number of recommendations. Starting with the consensus that increasing regional