Through the hard work and
efforts of our members, working with others, NADA/F has made
significant contributions to our goals of improving how families of
airline disasters are treated. We also continue to work for higher
standards of aviation safety. Since 1995, NADA/F has accomplished the
following:
· NADA/F was incorporated
as nonprofit organizations in 1995. The NATIONAL AIR DISASTER
FOUNDATION is a 501-(c)(3)-tax deductible, and the NATIONAL AIR
DISASTER ALLIANCE, also tax-exempt, but not tax deductible, is a 501
(c)(4), which allows for political lobbying.
· NADA/F developed the
proposal to protect the rights of family members immediately
following an airline crash
· NADA/F advocated the
development and passage of legislation, the Family Assistance Act of
1996, to create the Family Advocate position with the NTSB.
· NADA/F members
advocated and worked to pass the "Airplane Pilot Hiring Safety
Act," which requires airlines to perform a background check
before hiring a pilot.
· NADA/F frequently
provides public testimony for improved aviation safety, and attends
professional conferences to educate and advocate for higher
standards.
· NADA/F has been
approved as one of the corporations/organizations to make
recommendations for member participation in the FAA Aviation Rule
Making Advisory Committees (ARAC). ARAC policy recommendations are
viewed as the decision making force within the FAA. NADA/F has
successfully appointed several members. The FAA Administrator has
also granted NADA/F a position on the FAA ARAC Executive Committee.
· NADA/F has established
credibility in Congress, the White House, the Department of
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, the National
Transportation Safety Board, U.S. Department of State, and social
service agencies such as the American Red Cross, the media, and in
certain areas of the industry.
We cannot stop there! We
continue to work toward the prevention of airline disasters and press
for higher safety standards in the airline and air transportation
industry. Aviation will be 100 years old in 2003, with the anniversary
of Kitty Hawk, and air travel has become public transportation.
History and
Accomplishments
· October 17-18, 1992
- International Air Disaster Groups (IADG) Conference in Washington DC
at the Savoy Hotel. This is the first gathering that we know of, of
international air disaster groups, and was the forerunner of NADA/F.
· June 8, 1995 -
Charter meeting. Formal establishment of organization in Pittsburgh,
PA.
· June 20,1995 -
Families met with NTSB Chairman Hall and DOT Secretary Pena. Presented
14 issues and recommendations on airline treatment of airline crash
victims and their surviving families.
· August 1, 1995 -
Incorporated as NATIONAL AIR DISASTER ALLIANCE and NATIONAL AIR
DISASTER FOUNDATION in Washington D.C.
· August 2, 1995 -
Families met NTSB Chairman Hall, DOT Secretary Pena, 10 major
airlines, Air Transportation Association, Amtrak, and ICALM
(International Claims and Litigation Management Group, Inc.) presented
14 issues and recommendations on family needs following airline
disasters.
· November 11-12, 1995
- First Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. Formalized proposal for
Family Advocate legislation.
· December 13, 1995
- First memorial of AA3379. Families testified before Congress for
passage of the "Airline Pilot Hiring Safety Act". Became law
July, 1996.
· April, 1996 -
Mailed Family Advocate proposal to each member of the U.S. Congress.
· May, 1996 -
Membership letter writing campaign to Congress.
· May 11, 1996 -
ValuJet Disaster -- NADA/F contacted NTSB concerning families. NTSB
coordinated briefings with families in Miami and arranged crash site
Memorial Service.
· June 11, 1996 -
NTSB Final Report on AAEagle 4184. NTSB Chair Jim Hall publicly
supported the role of NADA/F.
· June 19, 1996 -
NADA/F presented proposal for legislation to U.S. House/Transportation
and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, "Best prepared
presentation to committee in past 15 years," per congressman.
National TV coverage.
· July, 1996 - New
York Times article called the Alliance "a newly formed special
interest group".
· July 17, 1996 -
TWA 800 Disaster. NADA/F in contact same evening with NTSB on family
treatment.
· July 19, 1996 -
NADA/F on "Good Morning America" with New York Mayor
Guilliani on treatment of families. NADA/F called for support of
legislation.
· July 30, 1996 -
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure introduced the "Aviation Disaster Family
Assistance Act of 1996" to broaden the power of the NTSB and
establish the Family Advocate.
· September 5, 1996
- NADA/F presented testimony on the content of the draft legislation
to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation before the 104th Congress.
· September 6-7, 1996
- Second Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA.
· September 17, 1996
- Family Assistance Act passed by U.S. House 401-29.
· October 9, 1996 -
President Clinton signed Family Assistance Act of 1996 into law.
· October 9, 1996 -
NADA/F announced that NTSB Chair Jim Hall would be honored with the
first NADA/F Safety Award.
· October 9, 1996 -
Task Force including three NADA/F Board members appointed by DOT
Secretary Rodney Slater developed guidelines for airlines in disaster
response and reported findings to Congress by October 9, 1997.
· October 29, 1997 -
Three NADA/F Board Members, appointed by Secretary of Transportation
Rodney Slater, participated in the Task Force on Assistance to
Families of Aviation Disasters, in response to the Family Assistance
Act. Final Report presented to US Congress.
· October 25-26, 1997
- Third Annual Meeting in Akron, Ohio.
· March 18, 1998 -
NADA/F presented safety recommendations adopted at the Annual Meeting,
to the US House Subcommittee on Aviation.
· April 27-28, 1998
- NADA/F Board Members met with American Red Cross leadership to
discuss providing mental health and counseling services to survivors
and family members of aviation disasters. Also met with NTSB.
· Editorial Board Meeting
with "USA Today" newspaper.
· September 26-27, 1998
- Fourth Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. Mary Schiavo was honored as
the 1998 recipient of the NADA/F Award for Contributions Toward
Improved Air Safety.
· September 28-29, 1998
- Board Members attended the NTSB Symposium on Family and Victim
Assistance for Transportation Disasters. NADA/F President honored for
"determination and courage in support of families and victims of
transportation disasters."
· January, 1999 -
Edward Block, NADA/F representative, appointed to the Aging Aircraft,
FAA Aging Transport Systems Rule-Making Advisory Committee (ATSRAC),
only non-industry appointment.
· October 2-3, 1999
- 5th Annual Meeting--Detroit, MI.
· October 18-22, 1999
- Baltimore MD - First Crisis Response Disaster Team training for
NADA/F members, worked with NOVA, National Organization for Victims'
Assistance.
· February 5-8, 2000
- Washington DC NADA/F Board Meeting. Worked on NADA/F policy, had
over 30 Congressional meetings, met with American Red Cross, U.S.
Department of Justice, and other government, and media meetings.
· July, 2000 - FAA
approves NADA/F as one of the corporations/organizations to
participate in making recommendations to the FAA Aviation Rule-Making
Advisory Committees (ARAC). NADA/F also became a member of the FAA
ARAC Executive Committee, and appointed Dr. Wm Kauffman as NADA/F
representative. Also appointed Dr Gary Slater as NADA/F representative
on the FAA Aging Transport Systems Rule-Making Advisory Committee, and
Matt Ziemkiewicz as NADA/F representative on the Airport Certification
Issues and Emergency Evacuation Committee.
· October 28-29, 2000
- 6th Annual Meeting - Pentagon City VA, near Washington DC.
