Accreditation — Standards
The Airborne Public Safety Accreditation Commission has compiled a set of published standards for public safety aviation operations that are applicable to all airborne public safety units regardless of size or branch of government.
These standards are available for download for current APSA individual members. If you are not an individual member and are interested in purchasing a copy of these standards, contact our office at 301-631-2406.
APSAC — Aviation Safety
The cornerstone of APSAC’s Safety Standards is the principle of Safety Management Systems (SMS). To apply for accreditation, a unit must show evidence of an established and functioning SMS program. APSAC sets the standard for aviation safety and works with units and flight crews to enhance their overall effectiveness and SMS program.
Why SMS?
SMS facilitates the proactive identification of hazards, promotes the development of an improved safety culture, modifies the attitudes and behavior of personnel in order to prevent damage to aircraft or equipment, and makes for a safer workplace. An SMS program provides an organization with the capacity to anticipate and address safety issues before they lead to an incident or accident. An SMS program also provides management with the ability to deal effectively with accidents and near misses so that valuable lessons are applied to improve safety and efficiency. The SMS approach reduces loss and improves productivity.
Safety & Compliance Standards
Our standards for safety provide a guidepost for establishing and operating a functional SMS program that is designed to become an integral part of the unit’s entire operation, especially in the areas of unit administration, flight operations, safety, aircrew training, and aircraft maintenance.
Safe & Efficient Public Safety Aviation Operation
Compliance with accreditation standards provides agencies with the foundation for safe operating practices, formulating markers of excellence, and establishing further developmental enhancements. Additionally, it provides enhanced professionalism, economic efficiency, and overall greater mission effectiveness.
The FAA’s view on SMS
“The purpose of SMS is to provide a systematic approach to controlling risk and to provide assurance that those controls are effective. SMS will provide operators a formal means of meeting statutory safety requirements (Title 49) and the FAA a means of evaluating management capability.” -Don Arendt, PhD, FAA SMS Program Manager.
Establishing Safety as a Core Value
Everyone in the organization must buy into making safety a core value, with top management as the guiding light. A positive safety culture is invaluable in encouraging behavior that will enhance safety. Positively reinforcing safety-conscious actions through SMS sends the message that management cares about safety. The best way to establish safety as an integral part of the unit’s operation is to incorporate it into the management plan and hold management accountable.
Contact APSAC to learn more about our aviation safety service and the benefits of accreditation.
