NTSB to Host International Family Assistance Conference

Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board is hosting a conference to share best practices and promote post-accident family assistance in all modes of transportation. Family Assistance: Promoting an International Approach for the Transportation Industry, will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 28 and 29, 2011. The conference will bring together family members, transportation accident investigation agencies, industry representatives, government agencies, and the news media to share perspectives on lessons learned in providing family assistance following transportation accidents in an international context.

"Following a major aviation or passenger rail accident in the US, the NTSB has the responsibility to coordinate support for survivors and families," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "With this conference, we are marking the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act and the 10th anniversary of ICAO Circular 285, with a unique forum to identify lessons learned and draw from international experiences to improve the support for families in the wake of transportation tragedies worldwide."

The first day of the conference will include panel discussions featuring family members, transportation industry representatives, vendors, non-governmental organizations, transportation accident investigative agencies, and the news media examining their perspectives on transportation family assistance.

The second day will feature a series of presentations by NTSB Transportation Disaster Assistance staff as they discuss the Board's family assistance model from an operational perspective.

This conference, being held at NTSB's headquarters, is provided free of charge to those interested in the provision of family assistance in all modes of transportation. A complete agenda and list of speakers will be published prior to the conference. The first day will be webcast at www.ntsb.gov.

For more information and to register for the conference visit: www.ntsb.gov/internationalconference. All questions and email should be sent to the following link internationalconference@ntsb.gov.