NORAD/FAA Notification: Airborne Events

Posted bynena-9-1-1
Mar 3 – 09:20 am — John Ellison

Document Information
Full name: 

NORAD/FAA Notification: Airborne Events

Document type: 

Standard

Standard number: 

56-002

Document description: 

This document has been developed to serve as a model standard operating procedure for Public Safety answering Points (PSAPs) to notify the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of certain air events that may require a response from an appropriate national agency

Recognizing that 9-1-1 call centers are likely to receive the first notification of air events that may threaten national security, NORAD proposed this procedure in 2002. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was developed between NORAD, NENA and the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA) by year’s end. This procedure was included as an attachment to the MOA, and reissued in NENA Standard/Operational Recommendation format.

Since the original issue of this document, NORAD consolidated its Air Defense Sectors, and the FAA and NORAD have recommended that calls of an emergency nature that are not terrorist-related be referred to a regional FAA Service Center. This revision is being provided as a recommendation to PSAPS to update their local SOPs accordingly.

This procedure is not intended to supersede existing laws, regulations, directives or agreements. Specifically, this procedure does not supersede responsibilities of local, state or federal law enforcement agencies or other agencies.

This procedure is intended to:

  • Provide guidance to 9-1-1 call takers in the appropriate handling of calls involving reports of airborne events that may threaten national security and other emergency calls from aircraft.
  • Reduce the time between the onset of an event and notification to NORAD.
  • Enhance the ability of NORAD to appropriately and effectively respond to critical events.
  • Facilitate the response of emergency services to other events by providing for timely notification via the appropriate FAA Service Area.

It is recommended that certain information be collected in the following circumstances:

  • emergency calls from airborne aircraft
  • reports of a suspicious airborne object or aircraft
  • reports of a recent or in progress aircraft theft
Committee Information
Committee Name(s): 

Operations – Standard Operating Procedures

Committee type: 

Operational

Document Dates
Revised: 

05/06/2008

Attachment Size
NORAD/FAA Notification: Airborne Events 138.65 KB