The motive of an emergency evacuation is to evacuate all aircraft occupants as quickly and also as safely as possible to ensure they have the best chance of survival in the scenario of a life-threatening situation.
As safety is Everybody's Business , an effective team work and communication between the Flight Crew , Cabin crew , Air Traffic Control Personnel , Fire fighting team and most importantly Passengers is required.
► It is Vital that the Cockpit crew understand 'task sharing' and know the 'type and sequence' of actions that must be performed for an effective evacuation.
► While Captain is busy Communicating with the ATC and Fire fighting Personnels , First officer should continue “Read and Do” actions without confirmation from the Captain or wait for "Challenge and Response" .
► In the case of fire incidents, they need to position the aircraft in such a ways that the wind direction will blow the flames away from the fuselage.
► The Cockpit crew must bring the aircraft to a Complete stop and set the parking brake.
Before Emergency Evacuation is started, flight crew must secure the aircraft by performing the following basic tasks:
► Residual cabin pressure ( ΔP) to be ensured as zero in cockpit display page that will prevent explosive door opening, if manual pressurization was in use.
► Ensure All Engine master switches are OFF.
► All Engines and APU FIRE Pushbuttons in Pressed in condition.
► Relevant Engine and/or APU AGENT pushbuttons to be used in case of engine or APU fire.
► “ATTENTION CREW AT STATION” callout to Cabin Crew to intimate the Current situation.
► At the end , Evacuation Command (EVAC) through Dedicated Push Button, where ever applicable.
► Being the executor of the Evacuation process, anticipation and preparation can help the Cabin crew to make decisions and apply the Standard Operating Procedures(SOP) in a Panic situation.
► Cabin crew must have extensive knowledge of the aircraft cabin communication system and the aircraft configuration, especially the cabin layout and exits or positions that could ensure an efficient emergency evacuation.
► The cabin crew must assess the situation at each cabin station of the aircraft. They should identify the available exits and being vigilant, begin to assess the outside conditions as well as the conditions inside the cabin.
► The cabin crew must use clear and concise orders, and use a loud voice along with the assertive body language to ensure that all evacuees follow their instructions.
► Barring extra-ordinary situations like Cockpit crew incapacitation , cabin crew should wait for Cockpit command to initiate an emergency evacuation.
► Crisis can cause Panic and it can emotionally affect the passengers waiting to be evacuated. Scenarios that lead to “frozen” or "immobile" passengers overwhelmed by the situation or some other passengers pushing past other passengers to evacuate early are basic challenges.
► Emergency evacuation develops the challenges in a matter of seconds, evolving immediate danger like fire or smoke, an emergency exit becoming unusable due to certain reasons or external conditions, an exit with a reduced flow of passengers can hinder the process.
ATC and Fire fighting team can be of great help to the Cockpit in taking appropriate decision by making all the necessary ground condition info. and assistance available at the site.
► Many a times , it has been Observed that , passengers get injuired in the progress of evacuation due to Chaos and mis-management.
► Though Evacuation process can’t expect trained Passengers for it’s success, ‘Unresponsive’ or ‘Extremely aggressive’ passengers can pose a threat to the smooth evacuation action.
► Cabin Crew and all the stake holders must show great composure in taking charge of their functions in the situation to avoid any safety Breach and save precious lives during the Aircraft Emergency Evacuation.
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