Page 15 - SVHS Ops Plan 2017_18

Call for Assistance
Under the authority of a County Sheriff or State of Idaho EMS Incident Commander, SVHS can rapidly deploy a rescue team by helicopter in winter conditions for avalanche rescue, lost persons or evacuation. Sun Valley Heli-Ski operates under FAA Rule 135. Because the helicopter is involved in daily ski activities, response time to a rescue will vary with location and logistics. A call for outside assistance is considered a Level 2 emergency. SVHS aims to be on the ground 30 minutes after sunset when working on an incident and needs to be on the ground no later than 1 hour after sunset.
Communication with the Media
In the event of an incident that draws the attention of the media SVHS should take the following steps:
1) Create a team to manage crisis response. The team should consist of the Business Manager, an office staff assistant, and the Operations Manager if available. The team should consider obtaining legal counsel.
a. Prepare a factual statement to distribute to the press to be reviewed by legal counsel if necessary.
b. Appoint a spokesperson to communicate with the media. The team will and will set up a system for handling inquiries regarding the incident.
c. Establish a system for responding to inquiries about the incident
Guidelines for communicating with the media:
• Communication with the press should occur as soon as possible. Delays can complicate
the situation.
• No one, including the spokesperson, will communicate any information that identifies
responsibility for the incident.
• Communication with the press should include just known facts subject only to legal
constraint, consideration for next-of-kin, protection of the injured and good taste.
• No one other than the designated spokesperson or member of the crisis team is authorized
to represent SVHS to the media.
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P.O Box 978 Sun Valley, ID 83353
Phone: 208.622.3108 E: info@sunvalleyheliski.com W: sunvalleyheliski.com