Speaker Biograghy: Michael is currently the Vice President of New Offer Management for Jensen Hughes, where he focuses on the development of new services and software. He is a past sector leader for aviation and transportation and has worked on numerous large airport projects worldwide. His experience includes passenger flow modelling, smoke control system design, mass notification systems analysis, and emergency management and planning.


Day 3 - 22 March
Session: Management & Operations: Crisis & Disaster

10:05 - 10:35 - Emergency communication systems (ECS) effectiveness in an airport environment
Synopsis: A case study will be presented that will highlight the key factors driving the design and operation of emergency communication systems (ECS) in airports. Research literature developed from practice evacuations indicates that the use of verbal directive messaging may be the most effective way to reduce delay in an evacuation. The presenters will show videos from airport testing documenting and comparing unaware passengers' reactions to evacuation messaging in the form of fire alarm sirens versus verbal instruction provided by the airport emergency communications system.

Audience will learn:

• Proper strategy for emergency messaging in public airport spaces
• Technical requirements for occupant notification per codes and standards
• Operation of emergency management systems in the most effective manner to facilitate evacuation