[ California Symposium Speaker ]
On January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines flight 261 crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Point Magu, Calif. killing all 88 passengers on board. The Red Cross Chapters in Ventura near the crash scene and in Los Angeles near the Family Assistance Center were immediately activated. Coordination occurred between these two sites with full support from Red Cross National Headquarters.
Bonnita Wirth, Ph.D.
American Red Cross, Greater L.A. Chapter
The Red Cross Role in Aviation Disasters:
Alaska Airlines Flight 261
This presentation will introduce attendees to the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 with primary focus on the role of the American Red Cross.
Next, the local Red Cross response to the Flight 261 disaster will be detailed outlining the complexity of the multi-agency collaboration demanded in aviation disasters, the impact of being a member of the response team, and the planning of the one-year anniversary.
Symposium Mission Statement:
To provide a forum for the sharing of knowledge and information,
to meet the challenge of the increasing risk of calamities
in the growing aviation industry.
