TOOL M

Airport Resiliency Stress-Test Exercise-in-a-Box

Introduction

This document aims to provide resources for GA airports to conduct a resilience stress test of their emergency plans, policies, and procedures. This packet contains all the information GA airports will need to examine realistic ways in which shocks and stressors may impact their daily operations and business continuity. There are three objectives for this exercise stress test:

1. Examine how effectively your airport can respond to and recover from a variety of shocks and stressors.
2. Identify potential consequences your airport may face as the result of shocks and stressors.
3. Determine effective strategies to mitigate the consequences of shocks and stressors and improve operational continuity.

To perform an exercise stress test, GA airports should follow the steps in order as outlined in Table M-1. Please note that these steps incorporate other elements of the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit, available for free download on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for ACRP Research Report 263: Creating Self-Directed Resiliency Plans for General Aviation Airports and then reviewing “Resources at a Glance.” This exercise is designed to evaluate existing plans, policies, and procedures; if you need assistance crafting these plans, please refer to the Resilience Handbook in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit.

List of Shocks and Stressors

To begin your exercise, select the shock or stressor you would like to analyze. Shocks and stressors are divided into four categories:

1. Economic
2. Environmental
3. Operational
4. Social

This tool is meant to be flexible based on the highest priority needs and areas you want to explore. If you are unsure where to begin, look at selecting the most common shocks and stressors

Table M-1. Steps to conduct an exercise stress test.

you face. When you begin working through the scenario, these shocks and stressors will be easier to conceptualize and discuss. Once you are comfortable with the scenario format, you can easily shift to discussing less common but no less important topics.

Once you have selected a shock or stressor, navigate to the designated page in the righthand column in Table M-2. The designated page for the shock/stressor will contain all the scenario information you need. Once you (and any partners) have reviewed the scenario, turn to the section of exercise questions. Discuss each question based on the scenario you have reviewed. Best practice is to designate one person to take notes for the exercise and to document any discussions, conclusions, or findings you reach. Finally, once you have reviewed all the questions, turn to the Corrective-Actions template (Table M-3). In this template, you will identify clear steps you and your stakeholders can take to enhance resilience based on the discussions you had for the scenario.

You may find that as you work through different scenarios, there is overlap between discussion and the necessary corrective action. That is not a fault in the exercise nor your discussions; rather, you have identified high-benefit actions that, if taken, will enhance your resilience to multiple hazards simultaneously. These often indicate where you will receive the most significant benefit for your investment.

Table M-2. Select which shock or stressor you would like to test from the following table.

Scenarios

Scenario: Fuel Price Increase

Scenario Overview

Over the past 3 months, the price of aviation fuel per gallon has risen by $0.31 on average in your region. In the first few months, you did not notice much of a direct impact on the number of pilots and customers using your services; consequently, there was little-to-no disruption to operations. However, current market forecasts indicate that fuel prices per gallon are likely to continue rising over the next 6 months. In a worst-case scenario, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and FAA predict that the price per gallon for aviation fuel could rise by an additional $0.54 by the end of the year—putting the total fuel cost increase $0.85 higher per gallon than the preceding year.

Recently, some of your tenants have begun to express concerns. While the number of hangar rentals has remained steady over the past 3 years, two leases have not been renewed within the past month. Coupled with this slight drop in rentals, some of your contractors have noted that pilots are flying fewer flights and, therefore, are consuming fewer services. Last week, the local paper ran a story highlighting the challenges rising fuel prices have placed on residents and quoted a pilot who stated they were considering selling their personal plane rather than paying the maintenance and fueling fees.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Fuel prices fall—Despite government projections, fuel prices begin to fall in late summer and are on track for a total year increase of $0.59/gal rather than $0.85/gal. As the fuel price goes down, a local flight school announces it intends to increase daily operations within the next few weeks to the same levels as the preceding year. Similarly, your office receives a new inquiry about hangar rentals and the associated maintenance fees.
• Fuel prices soar—Fuel prices rise to unexpected heights and, by the end of the year, are projected to have increased by $1.01/gal despite previous projections. Your primary fuel vendor notifies you the price increase is primarily due to fuel shortages; even if you purchase additional fuel now, supply-chain challenges may delay how quickly it can be shipped to your facility. With this news, several pilots begin to explore options to break the leases on their hangar space and sell their planes because of the untenable costs associated with maintenance.
• Government grant program announced—To address the rapidly rising fuel prices, the federal government announces that it is instituting a grant program that GA airports may apply for to offset the additional operational costs they are accruing. To be considered for funds, airports must fill out an online grant application, gather and submit paperwork documenting the challenges they face, and demonstrate how they will use the awarded funds.

Potential Consequences

A fuel price increase may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Supply-chain issues
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Operations and maintenance personnel
• Airport tenants—Contractors, supply managers, business partners

• Local community—Chamber of commerce or equivalent, transportation managers, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—Other airports, aviation schools, the state transportation organization, state environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Financial Stress/Resilience Issues

Scenario Overview

Many factors can influence economic resilience. Choose from the following list based on what you are most concerned about and begin sparking conversation among stakeholders:

• Economic recession—Because of economic factors far beyond your control, your airport did not bring in the expected revenue last year. As a result, you have a much smaller budget that you must work within this year, and you need to find ways to reduce your operating costs.
• Regulatory burdens—The federal government recently passed a new airport regulation that you know will be costly to comply with. You have been given 2 years to do so, or you will no longer be eligible to apply for federal funding programs.
• Supply-chain disruption—As a result of global events, you have been experiencing a supply-chain disruption, which has resulted in you both paying higher prices and waiting longer for necessary supplies, like fuel, to arrive. You know this rate of spending is unsustainable, particularly given delivery delays.
• Reduction in travel—Across the travel industry, businesses are seeing record low numbers of travelers for the time of year. As a result, the expected boost in revenue you were hoping for from tourism and business travel no longer seems within reach.

Potential Consequences

Financial stress may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Takeoff delays
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may

Scenario: Severe Weather

Scenario Overview

As this scenario covers many types of severe weather incidents, please select from the following list the incident(s) in which you are interested in exploring based on your geographic location and natural hazards.

• Severe wind—Severe wind gusts can occur as part of a larger storm system or as a separate incident. This scenario is meant to refer to extreme wind gusts or wind incidents, such as derechos. – A high-wind warning has been issued for your region by the National Weather Service, which means the best-available forecasting is predicting either sustained winds of more than 40 miles per hour (mph) for an hour or more or wind gusts of 58 mph or higher.
• Monsoon—The North American Monsoon is a seasonal change in atmospheric circulation that affects Arizona and New Mexico. This change in circulation over the summer brings thunderstorms and rainfall to these states, providing much of their annual rainfall in a few short summer months.
  • The National Weather Service is forecasting a string of severe thunderstorms expected to affect your area starting around 2:30 p.m. today. These storms are expected to bring strong wind gusts and heavy rain to your area for at least 3 hours.
• Haboob—A haboob is a type of intense dust storm during which winds along the edges of a desert area churn dust and sand into the air and create a hazardous environment. Haboobs typically last around 3 hours and may be accompanied by thunderstorms.
  • Your local National Weather Service office has issued a dust storm warning, forecasting visibility of one-half mile or less and wind speeds of 30 mph or more for the next 2 hours.
• Extreme heat—Extreme heat occurs when temperatures, particularly in the summer, are much hotter or more humid than average. This type of heat can cause infrastructure damage, greatly increase fuel consumption for cooling facilities, and pose a threat to human life.
  • The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for your region, which means forecasts expect the heat index to reach 105°F or greater for more than 2 hours. In this case, the hot weather is expected to last for at least 3 days, and temperatures in the evening are not expected to fall much, offering little relief.
• Extreme cold—Extreme cold happens across the United States, typically during the winter, when arctic air coupled with freezing wind results in cold temperatures that are dangerous to humans and infrastructure. Extreme cold, like extreme heat, can last for an extended period.
  • After several days of cold weather, the National Weather Service has issued a wind-chill warning for your region, anticipating extended cold weather and high winds. Current predictions expect this weather to last for at least 4 days.

Potential Consequences

Severe weather may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Foundation heave/damage
• Hail damage
• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• Failure of HVAC system

• Increased demand on HVAC system
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• On-airfield debris
• Roof failure
• Facility damage from lightning strikes
• Overheating of IT equipment
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Wind damage
• Runway damage
• Increased fire risk
• Power loss
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements
• Electrical failure
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Reduced vegetation and increased erosion
• Lightning strikes causing fires
• Increased weathering on facilities and equipment
• Reduced aircraft capacity
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of flights
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Increase/decrease in fuel consumption
• Increased air turbulence, changing wind patterns, optimum orientation changes, microbursts
• Impact on aircraft performance (reduced braking, hydroplaning, etc.)
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Supply-chain issues
• Extreme-heat exposure
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Increase in noise complaints
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increased insect populations
• Non-attainment of EPA air quality standards
• Increase in aviation fire risk
• Interruption in communications systems
• Potential for wildfire and smoke
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Flooding

Scenario Overview

In recent years, what used to be considered 100-year floods seem more like 10-year floods. Recent projections released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that this pattern, if anything, will increase. FEMA has just released new flood maps, which indicate that flood zones are much larger than previously established. Based on these new projections, it is likely that your facility will flood more frequently and more widely than previously. Infrastructure, equipment and chemical storage, runways, and other areas that used to be on a high-enough ground to be unaffected by flooding are now in danger.

After a line of severe thunderstorms drop more than 9 in. of rain in 1 hour, deluging your region, your facility is affected by severe flooding. (Consider here what would happen to your facility if flooding increased by approximately 25%. What buildings and areas would be affected? Are you prepared for such a flood? Would it affect how you can access part or all of your facility?)

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Unable to access facility—The flooding washes out the roads leading to and from your facility, making it impossible to access via foot or car until the waters recede. Based on the level of inundation, it will likely take at least 3 days before the roads are safely passable again—longer if more rain falls.
• Tainted water—The regional flooding caused a sewer overflow in your area, and your local government has informed you that your facility does not have access to clean potable water. Due to the extent of the contamination, the local water utility is dealing with many competing priorities. It may not be able to test and confirm your water is once again safe for human consumption for a few days.
• Power outage—The flooding in your area has caused widespread damage to power lines; as a result, there is a widespread power outage that is expected to last at least 2 days. The electric utility has also informed customers (including you) that the outage could last longer; they are still surveying the extent of the damage.

Potential Consequences

A flooding rise may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• Failure of HVAC system
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• On-airfield debris
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Runway damage
• Power loss
• Damage/corrosion to underground infrastructure
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements
• Sewer overflow
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Increased weathering on facilities and equipment
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs

• Decreased visibility
• Impact on aircraft performance (reduced braking, hydroplaning, etc.)
• Contagious disease/viral outbreaks
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increased insect populations
• Attraction of wildlife
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Storm surge
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Winter Storms

Scenario Overview

The National Weather Service forecasts a winter storm that will likely affect your area over the next 3 days. Based on current models, the storm will bring higher-than-average precipitation (snow and ice) to the area, and the wind chill will be severe. The forecast predicts a period of heavy precipitation on the first day of the storm, followed by lighter but lingering flurries and sleet.

After the storm, the morning dawns clear and cold. The roads in your region are very slippery and dangerous to travel on. The state and local transportation agencies are focused on clearing the roads so emergency services can travel and provide assistance. Heavy ice has brought down some power lines in the area, and the local electric utility reports that they have crews ready to begin repairs as soon as the roads are safe to travel. Your tenants have already begun reaching out asking when your facility will resume flight operations.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described in the Scenario Overview to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Storm lasts 4 days—When the storm reaches your region, it settles. Instead of heavy snow and sleet over a shorter period, the flurries are lighter but last for several days. Luckily, even though the weather is poor, the wind is not particularly severe.
• Runway(s) inaccessible—The storm leaves 2 in. of ice on your runway(s), covered by another few inches of snow. Even as the state roads are cleared, and service is restored, it will take significant effort and resources to restore operations in and out of your facility.
• Hail damage—The storm brought severe hail to your region; after it clears, there are piles of ice everywhere. Further complicating matters, your inspection reveals fairly significant hail damage to several buildings at your facility, including your terminal, maintenance area, and at least two hangars.

Potential Consequences

A winter storm may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Hail damage
• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• Roof failure
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Wind damage
• Runway damage
• Power loss
• Damage/corrosion to underground infrastructure
• Sewer overflow
• Increased weathering on facilities and equipment
• Reduced aircraft capacity
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Increased air turbulence, changing wind patterns, optimum orientation changes, microbursts
• Aircraft damage
• Impact on aircraft performance (reduced braking, hydroplaning, etc.)
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Supply-chain issues
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption in communications systems
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, food and beverage vendors, other business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Hurricanes

Scenario Overview

Over the past week, you have been closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Katia. While initial projections were more general, as time has passed, it has become clear that your facility will be directly affected by the storm. Currently, a Category 2, the National Weather Service has forecasted that the hurricane will likely strengthen to Category 3 before it reaches your region.

After the storm hits, the damage is substantial and widespread, affecting your facility and your entire region. Trees are downed, buildings are damaged, there is flooding, and debris is strewn everywhere. During the storm, the power briefly failed, but the electric utility was able to restore it to your location and the surrounding town quickly. Now, you need to survey your facility for damage and determine how long you will need to return to aviation operations.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Category 4 hurricane—Hurricane Katia strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane unexpectedly, resulting in much more extensive damage to your facility and the surrounding region. Experts suspect this unexpected strengthening is partially due to rising sea surface temperatures, which “supercharged” the hurricane before it made landfall.
• Extended power outage—The hurricane caused more extensive damage to power lines; as a result, there is a widespread power outage that is expected to last at least 3 days. The electric utility has also informed customers (including you) that the outage could last longer; they are still surveying the extent of the damage.
• Building devastation—The hurricane-force winds caused a partial collapse of two buildings at your facility. (Consider how your operations would be affected depending on which buildings were affected. What building damage would force you to cease normal operations completely? What building damage would allow partial or full operations to continue?)

Potential Consequences

A hurricane may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Foundation heave/damage
• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• Failure of HVAC System
• Increased demand on HVAC system
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• On-airfield debris
• Roof failure
• Overheating of IT equipment
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Wind damage
• Runway damage
• Power loss
• Damage/corrosion to underground infrastructure
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements

• Electrical failure
• Electrical fire
• Sewer overflow
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Increased weathering on facilities and equipment
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Increased air turbulence, changing wind patterns, optimum orientation changes, microbursts
• Impact on aircraft performance (reduced braking, hydroplaning, etc.)
• Contagious disease/viral outbreaks
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increased insect populations
• Increase in aviation fire risk
• Attraction of wildlife
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Tornadoes

Scenario Overview

This morning, the National Weather Service announced a cell of severe thunderstorms that are anticipated to affect your area; this afternoon has the potential for rotation, meaning they may result in one or more tornadoes forming. Your area is placed under a tornado watch.

Shortly after the storms begin, the tornado watch is updated to a tornado warning, which means either a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Hail, wind, and heavy rain lash

• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of
• irregular operations
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increase in aviation fire risk
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Earthquakes

Scenario Overview

An hour ago, an earthquake struck a tectonic boundary near your airport facilities. Early reports describe the magnitude as between 5.8 and 6.1, though the exact number remains unclear. What is clear is that the devastation is widespread, impacting road networks, electrical and water utilities, and your airport and operations. Based on the extent of the damage across the region, it is clear that your airport is one of many that will need immediate and long-term assistance.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Aftershocks—Over the 2 days following the initial quake, aftershocks rock the region and your facility. While the aftershocks are smaller in magnitude—ranging from roughly 2.1 to 3.4 on the Richter scale—they are still devastating. Structures that the larger earthquake had weakened are further degraded by these aftershocks, complicating any response efforts.

• Degraded critical infrastructure—After structural surveys, it is evident that your facility escaped the worst effects of the earthquake. However, the critical infrastructure providers who provide power (electric and natural gas) and clean water to the region are facing more complicated challenges. Current estimates are that it could take up to 2 more weeks to fully restore power to the region, delaying your return to normal operations.

Potential Consequences

An earthquake may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Foundation heave/damage
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• On-airfield debris
• Roof failure
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Runway damage
• Increased fire risk
• Power loss
• Damage/corrosion to underground infrastructure
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements
• Electrical failure
• Electrical fire
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Increased air turbulence, changing wind patterns, optimum orientation changes, and microbursts
• Aircraft damage
• Contagious disease/viral outbreaks
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain Issues
• Human migration
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increase in aviation fire risk
• Interruption in communications systems
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts
• Insurance issues (increase in costs of coverage, issues with insurability)

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Drought

Scenario Overview

Your region has been in a moderate drought (as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor) for the past several months. This summer, state authorities and the U.S. Forest Service have declared a particularly high risk of wildfires in the area near your facility due to the lack of ground moisture and plentiful dry fuels. Authorities warn residents to be careful with any activities that could spark a fire.

Unfortunately, despite precautions, a wildfire starts in a rural area a few counties away from your facility. Although the fire does not pose an immediate threat to your facility or operations, it does continue to grow, and the billowing smoke plume reaches the airspace above your facility. The National Weather Service expects the smoke to last in the area for several weeks and to grow in intensity if firefighters cannot rapidly contain the flames.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Fire threatens your facility—The fire unexpectedly grows in size and intensity, outpacing the ability of firefighters to contain it safely. The most recent projections predict that the fire will reach your airport’s property line within 2 days. Authorities recommend that the facility be evacuated.
• Fire threatens other aviation facilities—While the fire is of no current threat to your facility, it has forced temporary closures of several airports in the region. As long as those facilities are nonoperational, flights are being diverted to your airport, increasing daily traffic dramatically. Your facility is also being used by firefighting aircraft daily.

Potential Consequences

A drought may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Wildfire and smoke

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Air traffic controllers (if applicable), administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners

• Local community—Emergency services, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State and federal fire management organizations, state environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Wildfires

Scenario Overview

Your facility is alerted that there will be a controlled wildfire nearby that should not adversely affect your operations. However, you get word that the controlled fire has now gotten out of hand and is rapidly growing. The plumes of smoke begin to increase, making the visibility extremely low. You have no idea how long this will last and now need to pivot your operations to mitigate the risk.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Wildfire on property—Instead of being affected by only smoke, the wildfire has now grown and is encroaching on airport property, particularly near the tenants’ hanger. Your airport tenants are frantically calling you to know what you plan to do to ensure their property is safe.

Potential Consequences

Wildfires may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• Failure of HVAC system
• Increased demand on HVAC system
• Overheating of IT equipment
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Intake of smoke into facility
• Increased fire risk
• Power loss
• Reduced vegetation and increased erosion
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Aircraft damage
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Supply-chain issues
• Extreme-heat exposure
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Decreased air quality
• Non-attainment of EPA air quality standards
• Increase in aviation fire risk (flashpoint for aviation fuels is 100°F)
• Potential for wildfire and smoke
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Volcanic Eruptions

Scenario Overview

Over the past week, you have been closely monitoring the impending eruption of a volcano in your region. Within the next few days, it is likely that the volcano will erupt and impact your airport. After the volcano erupts, it is evident that operations will be affected due to the ash in air. Now, you need to survey your facility for damage and determine how long you will need to return to aviation operations. Based on the volcanic activity, it is clear that it will impact flights in the immediate airspace.

Additionally, there are damages to the tenants’ aircrafts. As time continues, it is uncertain how long the ash will remain in the atmosphere. Your personnel are looking to you to decide how the airport should change operations and what needs to be done due to the damage from the volcanic activity.

Potential Consequences

Volcano eruptions may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Foundation heave/damage
• Failure of HVAC system
• Increased demand on HVAC system
• On-airfield debris
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Intake of smoke into facility
• Increased fire risk
• Power loss
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Decreased visibility
• Increase/decrease in fuel consumption
• Increased air turbulence/changing wind patterns/optimum orientation changes/microbursts
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration

• Extreme-heat exposure
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Non-attainment of EPA air quality standards
• Increase in aviation fire risk (flashpoint for aviation fuels is 100°F)
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of financial stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Potential for wildfire and smoke
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency responses efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Tsunami

Scenario Overview

You have just heard reports from the National Earthquake Information Center that an offshore earthquake has occurred. Immediately after the National Weather Service issues a tsunami warning for low-lying coastal regions, and your facility is within the warning area. It is evident that your local emergency response personnel are busy and will not be able to aid your facility in the immediate future.

Your staff begin to get frantic calls from the tenants, worried about their aircraft and want to know what you are going to do. Your personnel are looking to you to decide how the airport needs to prepare for the impending tsunami.

Potential Consequences

Tsunamis may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Foundation heave/damage
• Building water damage, long term (moisture, mildew, mold)
• Failure of HVAC system
• Increased demand on HVAC system
• External facility flooding damage (runways, taxiways, etc.)
• On-airfield debris
• Roof failure
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Wind damage
• Runway damage
• Power loss
• Damage/corrosion to underground infrastructure
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements
• Electrical failure
• Sewer overflow
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Reduced vegetation and increased erosion
• Increased weathering on facilities and equipment
• Reduced aircraft capacity
• Delays to construction
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Decreased visibility
• Increase/decrease in fuel consumption
• Increased air turbulence/changing wind patterns/optimum orientation changes/microbursts
• Aircraft damage
• Impact to aircraft performance (reduced braking/hydroplaning, etc.)
• Contagious disease/viral outbreaks
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Increased insect populations
• Non-attainment of EPA air quality standards
• Attraction of wildlife
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of financial stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Potential for wildfire and smoke
• Storm surge
• Changing wind patterns
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners

• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Political Issues

Scenario Overview

One of the hot topics in this year’s state elections has been transportation funding and support. The public has been clamoring for the state legislature to provide funds to repave roads, stabilize bridges, and ensure road infrastructure across the state is resilient. However, public officials have stressed that funding would have to be repurposed from other budgets—including that for aviation and air transportation.

You know if state funding is reduced, you will likely need to adjust your operations and schedule to account for a smaller budget. After the election, the new representatives choose to do just that, reducing the overall funding available for aviation and airport-related projects to support road infrastructure. These changes are planned to take effect during the next fiscal year’s budget, starting in a few months.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• All transportation funding decreased—Instead of merely restructuring the state transportation funding, the new legislature has decided to decrease transportation funding across the board and reallocate those funds to different government entities.
• Local attitudes change—With the most recent local election, one of the issues that has emerged is the pollution and noise caused by your facility. The candidates for election have pledged to consider measures that would affect your airport, including imposing new curfews for flights (dictating when aircraft can operate) and adjusting the amount of funding available to support your facility.

Potential Consequences

Political issues may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Impacts on the airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media/press presence
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions.

• Airport—Administrative staff, leadership
• Local community—Transportation organizations, local government (e.g., city council), community committee

Scenario: Pilot Shortages

Scenario Overview

You have witnessed a concerning demographic trend in recent years—fewer people have been obtaining their pilot licenses and pursuing plane ownership. You know very well that this issue is a destructive cycle: when there are fewer pilots, fewer people can learn how to fly. As a GA airport, you depend on independent pilots and small businesses to fund your operations by renting hangars, conducting flights, purchasing fuel, and using your maintenance services.

This trend is, unfortunately, showing no signs of slowing. While you have not seen a dramatic year-over-year drop in the number of pilots, when you compare your numbers to those from one, two, or three decades previously, they have dropped precipitously. You know that economic solvency for your airport relies heavily on a healthy base of private pilots to provide revenue; if you cannot find an alternate funding source, your business will be in trouble.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Small business closes—One of your most loyal customers announces they are shutting their doors after more than 30 years in business; their last flights will be conducted at the end of the month, and their hangar space is paid through the end of the year.

Potential Consequences

Pilot shortages may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Takeoff delays
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies,

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Emergency response, security personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Pilots, facility owners, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, law enforcement organizations, immigration authorities

Scenario: Terrorist Threats/Attacks

Scenario Overview

You receive a call stating that there is a bomb located at the airport and to prevent the bomb from going off, the airport must meet the demands of the caller. You are told that you must not involve law enforcement and they will call you back with their demands and instructions in the next 2 hours. You must decide what your next steps are for the safety of your staff, your tenants, and the public.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Fundraiser event—Instead of your normal operations, it is a very busy day at the airport as there is an event happening at the airport that will have at least 250 people in attendance. You must now think about what you need to do with an increased public presence at your facility.

Potential Consequences

Terrorist threats/attacks may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of the building envelope
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Runway damage
• Power loss
• Damage to integrity of surfaces and pavements
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Aircraft damage
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Interruption in communications systems
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Cyberattacks/Cyberterrorism

Scenario Overview

There are many types of cyberattacks, which vary based on the goal of the actor and sophistication of the attack. The following list includes several types of attacks which could impact your facility; select the scenarios which are most pertinent for your context to explore in this exercise.

• Ransomware attack—When your personnel try to sign into the airport’s computer system, they find themselves locked out. A black screen declares that your system has been hacked, and if you want to regain access to your files, you will need to pay a ransom in bitcoin. If you fail to do so, the message states that all the data saved on your computer network will be permanently erased. (Consider what systems you have networked, and what you rely on computers for. Are there certain systems which, if targeted, would be more catastrophic than others?)
• Attacks against operational technology—One of your mechanics reports that they noticed something odd when running a routine diagnostic on the automatic fueling system you use. On further inspection, it appears that the digital system has suffered some sort of hack, resulting in a change to the fuel composition. Planes that have this altered fuel may be susceptible to spontaneous explosion during their flight.
• Hack of personally identifiable information—One of your personnel notifies you that an independent identity protection service they use had alerted them that their personal information (including full name, date of birth, social security number, and address) was compromised. It appears that someone accessed this information from your personnel files, and it has been posted on the internet. (Consider how your calculus would change if passengers, as well as personnel, information had been accessed.)
• Attacks to circumvent security and screening—You receive a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) bulletin warning that some smuggling groups have been using a cyberattack to evade bag security screening by re-routing the automated bag transfer system. In doing so, they can smuggle illicit goods across borders much more easily. The FBI warns that airports located near borders need to be particularly vigilant for this type of attack.

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack—You receive an alert from your IT department warning that a DDOS attack appears to be occurring against your airport’s website and web services. Thousands of automated users are visiting the site, causing it to slow and crash. Your IT department does not know where the attack is coming from or when it might end.

Potential Consequences

Cyberattacks/cyberterrorism may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Electrical failure
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Loss of air traffic control (if applicable)
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media press/presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, security personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, vendors, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, law enforcement organizations

Scenario: Transportation Incidents

Scenario Overview

It is an unusually foggy day at your facility, and everything is operating normally. Your air traffic control (or equivalent) gives clearance for a skydiving flight to takeoff. The flight takes off safely, but moments later you received a panicked call—something has gone wrong, and there appears to have been a mid-air collision between the skydiving flight and a different aircraft that was beginning to approach the facility.

Upon investigation and working with local authorities, you quickly locate the crash site. Of the estimated 11 passengers and four crew members between the two flights, there are four people rushed to the hospital in critical condition; all others are declared dead on-site.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Mid-air near miss—Instead of the scenario provided in the overview, consider how your actions, challenges, and priorities would change if the two aircraft nearly collided but managed to avoid one another.
• Runway near miss—An aircraft is on final approach into your facility when it identifies another aircraft on the runway, preparing to takeoff. The aircraft on approach manages to pull up and circle around again, avoiding a crash.
• Incident at nearby airport—An airport in your general region suffers a transportation accident and, as a result, is unable to accept incoming flights for a short period. Several of the flights are diverted to your facility for emergency landing.

Potential Consequences

Transportation incidents may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Damage to airport transportation vehicles
• Takeoff delays
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Supply-chain issues
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, air traffic control, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, transportation organizations

Scenario: Airport Security

Scenario Overview

It is a sunny afternoon, and your facility is operating on a normal schedule. One plane is on approach to land, and you know there is one more you are expecting to land in the next hour. There is a private plane that has been fueled and is idling outside its hangar; the owner is inside the hangar, taking care of some last details before taking off.

Suddenly, your phone rings; the aircraft owner is calling you, claiming that a man he had never seen before has boarded his plane and was attempting to move it. Looking out the window, you see someone sitting in the plane’s cockpit, and it looks as though they are trying to determine how the controls function. You also see the pilot who called you standing outside the hangar, waving his arms.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Intruder on runway—You see someone on the runway who has gained unauthorized access to your facility. It appears they are taking photos of different airport areas, though they also have a backpack.
• Accidental incursion—After dropping off some materials for one of your contractors, a delivery driver gets turned around and accidentally drives onto the runway. A plane is on its final descent when you notice the truck; based on where it is, it could pose a collision risk to the aircraft.
• Media presence—After the incident at your airport, several media outlets (including both local and regional news) have been publishing regular stories on the state of your airport’s security. These reporters are spending lots of time in the public areas of your facility; their vehicles are parked on your property, and one reporter even booked a chartered flight that landed at your facility to get more footage.

Potential Consequences

Disruptions to airport security may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Risk of harm to human life
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions.

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, air traffic control, emergency response, security personnel, administrative staff, director, public information officer
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, law enforcement organizations

Scenario: Power Outage

Scenario Overview

A severe storm in your region knocked the power out to your facility and the surrounding community. Though the local utility is working hard to restore power, their resources are limited; there are other repairs that are just as pressing, and crews are helping support hurricane season outages elsewhere. Preliminary estimates suggest that the power will be out for at least 3 days, and potentially longer as the utility conducts a systematic survey to determine the extent of damage.

Two days into the power outage, you receive a warning from your fuel vendor: due to increased demand, prices are rising to purchase fuel for your on-site generators. If the blackout lasts much longer, you know that you will have burned through your generator fuel supply and will need more to keep the generators operational.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Rolling brownouts—Rather than a days-long outage precipitated by a specific event, consider how your operations would be affected if the utility in your region instituted rolling brownouts to combat energy demand and the potential for wildfires.
• Extended outage—On day two of the outage, the utility provides an update: unfortunately, despite their efforts, the outage will likely last up to a week due to the extent and severity of the damage on the transmission and distribution lines.

Potential Consequences

Power outages may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Overheating of IT equipment
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Power loss
• Electrical failure
• Failure of local utilities
• Loss of field lighting
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to

• Damage to planes in hangars and on tie-downs
• Increase/decrease in fuel consumption
• Aircraft damage
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughout capacity
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Violation of regulations as a result of irregular operations
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Non-attainment of EPA air quality standards
• Increase in aviation fire risk
• Interruption in communications systems
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts (public health and safety)
• Insurance issues (increase in cost of coverage, issues with insurability)
• Fuel shortage

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Construction Projects

Scenario Overview

Your facility has been undergoing construction as a hanger is being added. One day a piece of equipment malfunctions and causes damage to the neighboring building. The neighboring building is occupied by airport personnel and the public, and several people are severely injured. The construction workers immediately contact you to let you know of the situation. The construction workers and your personnel are looking to you for the next steps.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Runway damage—Instead of a piece of equipment damaging a neighboring building, construction damages a large portion of the runway, and many flights are planned to come in.
• Delays—Instead of runway damage, there is a large delay in the schedule construction of a new hanger extending the timeline by several months. You had several new tenants lined up to move into the new hanger, and now they are in an uproar about the delay.

Potential Consequences

Construction projects may cause many interruptions to operations as they can last several months or even years. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• On-airfield debris
• Delays to construction
• Takeoff delays
• Re-routing of aircraft
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Impacts to airport level of service

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies

Scenario: VIP Visits

Scenario Overview

You have been planning for a VIP visit for the last several weeks and have prepared all your staff for their arrival. This VIP visit will require you to shut down various parts of your facility for security reasons. However, there is a change in plans, and they will be arriving 2 days later than originally planned. The day they are now arriving happens to be when you have an event planned to fundraise for the neighboring school. You know how valuable this VIP is to you, and it is important that they are still able to make their visit. This is an extremely important opportunity for the airport that you do not want to miss.

Potential Consequences

VIP visits may cause many interruptions. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Impacts to airport level of service
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, utilities, transportation organizations, industrial companies, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Human Pandemic

Scenario Overview

Six months ago, scientists and doctors began warning the public that this year’s flu season was likely to be particularly dangerous given the viruses expected to propagate. Unfortunately, those concerns were proven accurate as influenza began to spread virulently throughout the global population, killing thousands.

Early in the pandemic, authorities identified air travel as one of the major vectors responsible for helping spread the respiratory disease—sick people boarded planes, infected passengers, and brought the virus to new destinations. In an effort to contain the virus, a patchwork of policies has been put in place across the United States. Some states require passengers to show a negative flu test; others require that masks be worn indoors and on flights. Overall, travel has fallen rapidly, as people have been quarantined and generally stayed home. The best forecasts predict it will be months—if not years—before the aviation sector resumes business as usual.

Scenario Extension

This section contains possible ways the scenario could change to deepen the discussion. Based on your unique context, resources, experience, and concerns, you may choose to add any of the following elements to the scenario described previously to deepen discussion and enhance preparedness.

• Staffing issues—To try and stop the spread of disease among your personnel, you have reduced the overall staffing footprint at the airport. However, you find that even with fewer people there, your personnel are still getting sick, and some are too scared to come to work.
• Supply-chain challenges—After the first few months of the pandemic, you notice that supplies like aviation fuel and repair parts are in short supply. Due to the pandemic’s impact on the global workforce, it may be several weeks, if not months, before you can get the shipments you need to be delivered.
• New Regulations—The DOT has passed a regulation that requires all airports to install state-of-the-art air filtration systems to protect passengers. Depending on the state of your facility, these air purifiers will likely be expensive. They may even require that parts of the building be retrofitted.

Potential Consequences

A human pandemic may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Failure of HVAC system
• Increased demand on HVAC system
• Increase in calls to emergency response center
• Contagious disease/viral outbreaks
• Reduced availability of clean water
• Interruption of traffic flows to/from airport
• Reduced throughput capacity
• Supply-chain issues
• Human migration
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Changes in seasonal tourism
• Risk of harm to human life
• Delay of emergency services
• Decreased air quality
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Staffing issues
• Increased media/press presence
• Necessitating the centering of the airport in emergency response efforts

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—Engineers, operational personnel, emergency response personnel, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Emergency response organizations, public health organizations, hospitals, local environmental agencies
• Regional community—State environmental agencies
• Federal government—Federal environmental agencies

Scenario: Personnel Issues

Scenario Overview

Many factors can influence staffing levels. Choose from the following list based on what you are most concerned about and begin sparking conversation among stakeholders:

• Economic recession—Due to economic factors far beyond your control, your airport did not bring in the expected revenue last year. However, you know that your personnel are already at minimum levels, and these further losses will likely worsen burnout. As a result, you are faced with the difficult responsibility of letting personnel go to balance the books.
• Strike or organized labor—A labor union has presented you with a list of demands for their workers, including raising pay and reducing the number of double shifts personnel need to work. They have threatened a walk-out or strike if you cannot comply with the demands.
• Labor shortage—Though you have open positions to fill and the funding to hire, you have had very few applicants over the past few months (and even fewer qualified applicants). Your current personnel are already feeling the strain of working multiple shifts or performing work meant for more people, but you also know this isn’t an issue that can be resolved overnight.
• Illness—A respiratory illness has affected many of your personnel who have called in sick. A few have even been hospitalized due to the severity of their sickness. The local public health department recommends that you ensure personnel can socially distance while at work until the virus has run its course.
• Perception of safety—Your airport recently experienced a violent crime that left many visitors and personnel shaken and concerned that your facility is unsafe to use. Since then, you have seen personnel quit and begin using their sick leave to avoid coming in.

Potential Consequences

Personnel issues may cause many consequences. The Risk-Assessment Analysis Tool in the Self-Directed Resiliency Toolkit highlights several consequences of particular concern for each shock or stressor. In this case, potential consequences include the following:

• Takeoff delays
• Supply-chain issues
• Interruption of regularly scheduled maintenance
• Impacts on airport level of service
• Interruption of economic stability/solvency
• Increased media/press presence

Potential Partners

Exercises are enhanced when multiple people from different agencies who would respond to the shock or stressor can come together and discuss how to implement emergency plans, policies, and procedures. Following is a non-exhaustive list of potential organizations you may wish to invite to participate in this exercise stress test to improve your outcomes and identify additional corrective actions:

• Airport—All staff, administrative staff
• Airport tenants—Contractors, pilots, business partners
• Local community—Unions

Exercise Questions

If you are conducting this exercise stress test with multiple people, designate one person to take notes on the answer to each question. You will use your answers to identify corrective actions to improve overall resilience and your response to shocks and stressors. For the scenario you selected, discuss the following questions.

Understanding Consequences

1. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport economically?
2. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport environmentally?
3. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport personnel?
4. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport’s reputation?
5. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport’s operations?
6. How could [shock/stressor] affect your airport infrastructure?
7. Which of these consequences are you most concerned about? Why?
8. Which of these consequences are you least concerned about? Why?
9. Which of these consequences is most time-sensitive to address?
10. Which of these consequences are longer-term challenges?

Understanding Response Capabilities

1. What economic resources does your airport have available to respond to [shock/stressor]?
2. What human resource personnel does your airport have available to respond to [shock/stressor]?
3. What other resources does your airport have available to respond to [shock/stressor]?
4. What plans, policies, or procedures does your airport have prepared to respond to [shock/stressor]?
5. Given the scenario, do you have the resources you need to respond to [shock/stressor]? If so, at what point would the [shock/stressor] exceed your ability to respond? If not, what resources do you lack?

Understanding Partnerships

1. What local or state partners might help you respond to [shock/stressor]?
2. What private-sector partners might help you respond to [shock/stressor]?
3. What aviation partners or organizations might help you respond to [shock/stressor]?
4. What tenants might help you respond to [shock/stressor]?
5. What airport business partners, such as utilities, ports, local law enforcement, firefighters, and local health organizations might help you respond to [shock/stressor]?
6. Of the organizations you identified, who do you have strong relationships/points of contact with? With whom do you need to build relationships or identify a new point of contact?

Corrective-Actions Template

Once you have completed the questions for your scenario, use the following template (see Table M-3) to identify corrective actions you can take to address the challenges you uncovered. You should add or remove rows as needed until you have documented all the necessary corrective actions.

Table M-3. Improvement plan template.