It is our objective to assist the media as much as possible as they cover stories at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field without compromising the safety and efficiency of airport operations.

This site is provided for the exclusive use of news reporters. It is important that the password for this site be kept confidential. This page contains phone numbers for media use only, not the general public.

In a highly visible public setting such as Augusta Regional Airport, it is important that information given to news reporters is accurate, so that in turn, a balanced, accurate report is given to the public. Therefore, we have developed the following policy and protocol for working with representatives of the news media.

All media inquiries should be addressed to Diane Johnston, Director of Marketing at 706-798-3236. After hours or on weekends call 706-798-2656. The person who answers will take your information and page Diane.

In the event that Diane is unavailable to take your call or page, you will be asked if you are working under a deadline and need to speak with an airport representative immediately, or whether the matter can wait until the next business day. If the call must be responded to immediately, you will be referred to:

1. Tammy Strange, Interim Airport Director
2. Tim Weegar, Director of Operations

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This policy has been developed following the events of September 11, 2001 in order to protect the integrity of airport security systems and the privacy rights of passengers and employees, while balancing the requirements of news media crews to complete their assignments.

Please call Diane Johnston, Director of Marketing at 706-798-3236 prior to arriving at the airport on a story assignment. Diane will contact the Airport Marshal's Department to let them know approximately when you will be arriving and in what areas you intend to set up your equipment.

In general, media may photograph activity at the airport from any public area. Please keep the following in mind.

1. Please stand at least 15 feet in front of the ticket counters This preserves the security and privacy of transactions between passengers and airline ticket counter employees.
   
   
2. Cameras are not allowed near the bag screening machine or in the privacy areas where passengers’ bags are hand searched. Photographers are not allowed to shoot the contents of passengers’ bags. This allows security personnel to perform their function efficiently and safeguard passengers’ rights to keep their personal items private.
   
   
3. TV live trucks may park in the commercial vehicle staging area north of the main terminal building with permission.
   
   
4. Media representatives must wear their identification badge to be easily recognized by the public.
   
   

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It is the policy of the Augusta Regional Airport to cooperate with the media whenever possible. Our primary responsibility, however, is safe and orderly airport operations. When there is an emergency situation that is expected to generate extensive media attention, the following procedures will serve as our guidelines.

1. To ensure hassle free access to the airport, media is to enter the airport via Tobacco Road and the main entrance. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, you may be required to show law enforcement officers your media identification in order to gain access to the airport. Note: Doug Barnard Parkway may be closed.
   
   
2. TV live trucks and media vehicles are to park in the multi-use parking lot in front of the general aviation facility.
   
   
3. Initially all media is to report directly to the media center located on the first floor of the Emergency Operations Center. Only members of recognized media organizations with appropriate identification will be given an airport press badge good for the duration of the event.
   
   
4. The PIO or an airport representative will conduct a preliminary briefing in this area and provide whatever information is available at that time. If an aircraft accident is involved, the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, or the airline may brief reporters.
   
   
5. Based on the nature of the situation at hand, the Incident Commander, Director of Operations, and PIO, will determine any restrictions on the movement of the media that may be necessary to allow a safe and orderly response to an incident.
   
   
6. Only media with airport issued press badges will be escorted to the scene of the emergency. At times it may be necessary to pool media resources. Should pooling be required, the three local TV stations (WGAT, WJBF, and WRDW), WGAC radio, and a representative from The Augusta Chronicle will be the media representatives.
   
   
7. Photographs and videotapes may be taken from any area where access has been permitted, however, Airport Marshal's may restrict the use of flash, strobes, and other high intensity lighting that might affect the response to the situation.
   
   
8. The media must not restrict the public’s access to gates, ticket counters, baggage areas, or other areas in the terminal.
   
   
9. While we recognize the importance of interviewing passengers, we also believe our first responsibility is to the passengers and their families and their right to privacy. If any individuals are reluctant to be interviewed or photographed, the Airport Marshal's and staff will support their decision.
   
   During an aircraft accident, access to passengers or families may be subject to approval by the involved airline, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and/or the National Transportation Safety Board.
   
   
10. Media representatives will not resist, obstruct, oppose or interfere with any law enforcement officer in the lawful execution of his or her duties, and are not exempt from any federal, state, or local laws and will be treated in the same manner as any violator if arrested.
    
    
11. Every effort will be made to provide a working area for credentialed media in the media center.
    
    
12. During an emergency situation, the airport PIO will be able to provide only the following information (if able to confirm):
    • Date and time of incident
    • Name of airline
    • Type of aircraft and flight number
    • Number of persons on board
    • Runway affected
    • General description of the incident
    • Conditions at the scene of the incident
    • Impact on airport operations
    
    All other information must be provided by the airline representative or the appropriate federal agency. Airport personnel will only provide information that has been confirmed by the airline, NTSB, TSA, FBI, or FAA.
    
    As a rule, during an emergency:
    • The cause of an aircraft crash or incident is released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
    
    
    
    • The passenger manifest (list of names of passengers and crewmembers on an aircraft) is released by the airline, not the airport.
    
    
    
    • Airport security information is handled by the Transportation Security Administration.
    
    
    
    • Information on air traffic control communication with the pilot of an aircraft involved in an incident is released by the Federal Aviation Administration.
    
    
    
    • Initial confirmation of any deaths resulting from the crash of a plane is made by the coroner, medical examiner, or other designated law enforcement officer, and information will not be released until family members are notified.
      

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Any or all of the local agencies listed below may participate in an emergency at the airport.

Agency	Public Affairs	Web Site
American Red Cross	706-724-8481	augusta.redcross.org
Augusta Emergency Management Agency	706-824-5543	www.augustaga.gov
Augusta Fire Department	706-842-5543	www.augustaga.gov
Augusta Risk Management	706-842-5543	www.augustaga.gov
Augusta Veteran Affairs Hospital	706-733-0188	www.va.gov
Doctors Hospital	706-651-3232	www.doctors-hospital.net
Fort Gordon	706-791-6001	www.gordon.army.mil
Georgia Department of Family and Children's Services	706-721-2536	www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov
Georgia Emergency Management Agency	404-635-7061	www2.state.ga.us/GEMA
Ham Radio Operators	Not Available	www.arrl.org/hamradio.html
Medical College of Georgia Health Center	706 721-5731	www.mcghealthcare.org
Richmond County Health Department	706 721-5800	www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/regional/richmond
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office	706-842-5543	www.augustaga.gov
Rural/Metro Ambulance	706-821-4911	www.ruralmetro.com
Trinity Hospital	706 481-7000	www.trinityofaugusta.com
University Hospital	706-828-2460	www.universityhealth.org

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20591
Phone: 202-366-4000
Atlanta Regional Office Public Affairs: 404-305-5180
www.faa.gov/newsroom

Various branches of the FAA have responsibilities in an aircraft emergency. The FAA operates the air traffic control tower and would control the air traffic during an emergency to permit rescue equipment to proceed to the accident site.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
Phone: 202-324-3000
www.fbi.gov

The FBI has jurisdiction if a hijacking or hostage taking incident occurs aboard an aircraft that is still on the ground. If the aircraft is in flight, and a hijacking or hostage taking incident occurs, the FAA has jurisdiction with assistance from the TSA and FBI. Other potential emergencies will involve the FBI as well.


National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
490 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20594
Phone: 202-314-6100
www.ntsb.gov

The NTSB is the federal agency that investigates aircraft accidents. They also take custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire/rescue activities are concluded until a full investigation is completed, or a release is given. Upon the arrival of the NTSB investigating team, the airport PIO may assume a support role to the NTSB or FAA at their request.

The NTSB also operates a Family Assistance Program intended to provide for the family members of those involved in an aircraft incident.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
11th Floor, South Wing
701 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 571-227-2829
www.TSA.gov

TSA is responsible for airport security screening and other security functions at the nation’s airports. In an emergency, TSA representatives will work with airport personnel to work the incident as well as maintain the security of the airport and processing of passengers through security screening.

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The involved airline is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight, crew, and the aircraft.

Airlines that currently serve Augusta Regional Airport:

Airline	Public Affairs	Web Site
Delta Air Lines	404-715-2600	www.delta.com
Delta Connection Carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)	404-766-1400	www.delta.com
Delta Connection Carrier Comair	859-767-2832	www.delta.com
US Airways	480-693-5729	www.usairways.com
US Airways Express (Piedmont)	410-742-2996	www.piedmont-airlines.com

Other airlines that may operate at Augusta Regional Airport:

Airline	Public Affairs	Web Site
AirTran Airways	407-251-5600	www.airtran.com
American Airlines	817-963-1171	www.aa.com
Continental Airlines	713-324-5080	www.continental.com
Northwest Airlines	612-727-7010	www.nwa.com
Southwest Airlines	214-792-6500	www.southwest.com
United Airlines	847-700-6532	www.united.com

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AOPA Air Safety Foundation
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: 301-695-2170
Fax: 301-695-2375
www.aopa.org

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation (ASF) is a non-profit pilot education and safety organization serving ALL pilots, not just AOPA members, by conducting research, providing safety data, and providing low-cost or free seminar programs to pilots and CFIs nationwide.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Office of Communications and Marketing
600 Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
Phone: 904-226-6000
www.erau.edu

ERAU has an experienced staff of aviation experts in the areas of pilots training, accident investigation, etc.

Flight Safety Foundation
601 Madison Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703-739-6700
Fax: 703-739-6708
www.flightsafety.org

Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonpolitical, international organization offering an objective view of aviation safety developments.

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Aviation Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 913
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0913
Phone: 316-262-1491
Fax: 316-262-5333
www.avdatainc.com

Aviation Data Service, Inc. (AvData) is an independent research company which captures, analyzes and disseminates data and information on the owners and operators of civil aircraft worldwide. The data is organized into three distinct files: Business aircraft, Air Carrier Aircraft, and Helicopters. AvData also tracks registered owners of piston powered aircraft in the United States and abroad. Information from these files may be accessed on either an ad hoc or subscription basis.

Robert Breiling
Breiling Associates
6020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 4
Boca Raton, Florida 33487-3999
Phone: 561-338-6900
Fax: 561-393-9127
Breiling Associates provides safety and business aviation statistics and other industry information.

FAA National Aviation Safety Data Acquisition Center (ASDAC)
800 Independence Ave., SE, Rm. 1006
Washington, DC 20591
Phone: 202-493-4247

The ASDAC provides rapid automated access to a unique database that integrates commercial and governmental information, accident and incident data, aircraft-specific information, international safety recommendations, airport and navigational aids, and safety trend analyses.

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