MEDIA GUIDE

Palm Beach County Department of Airports

Public Information Officer: Rebeca Krogman
Phone: 561-656-5963
Business Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday
Non-emergency inquiries made outside of business hours will be answered the following business day.

Quick Links

PBI Fact Sheet

Passenger Statistics Reports

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding New Standardized Flight Procedures

Emergencies

PBI is committed to cooperating with the news media to the fullest extent possible; however, the safety, security, and orderly operation of the airport remain our top priorities. In the event of an emergency at PBI expected to attract significant media attention, the following procedures serve as our guidelines:

Non-Aircraft Emergencies:

The communications team, in coordination with the investigating organization, will serve as the media’s point of contact.

The PBI communications team will provide the following information:

Date and time of the incident
Area of the airport affected
Impact on travelers
Investigating organization

Investigating Agencies

PBSO – traffic accidents, criminal activities
TSA – passenger screening and checkpoint security
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue – medical, fire, and HazMat incidents

Aircraft/Airfield Emergencies

Information Released by PBI:

The PBI Communications team will provide the following information as it becomes available:

Impact on airport operations
Investigating organization
Special instructions for media access and/or escort

Information Released by Other Agencies:

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): releases all information regarding accident investigations, including cause and contributing factors. Speculation on the cause is not permitted.
Airline: passenger manifest (list of passenger names)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): preliminary statements related to aircraft accidents/incidents and air traffic communications with involved pilots
Coroner/Medical Examiner: confirmation of any fatalities

All other information will be provided by the airline or the appropriate investigating agency.

The PBI PIO will notify the press of any scheduled press conferences. Media reporting on an aircraft emergency, accident, or incident should release only confirmed information as it becomes available.

Media access to the airfield may be granted depending on the nature of the event. Pooling resources may be required. Access to the scene will be allowed only after it has been declared secure. PBI or the appropriate authority will designate assembly points. Media representatives must follow all directions from PBSO, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue/ARFF, or authorized airport/federal officials. No media personnel may enter aircraft movement or secure areas without an escort.

Media must not interfere with public pedestrian or vehicle traffic, or with airline, airport, tenant, or concessionaire operations. While interviewing passengers is permitted, passenger privacy takes priority. If individuals decline interviews or photographs, PBI will respect their wishes.

During an aircraft accident, access to passengers requires approval by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the involved airline, PBSO, FAA, FBI, NTSB, TSA, or other DHS agencies.

Alert System

Radio transmissions may indicate an Alert I or II, signaling a real or perceived problem. Emergency staff responds with heightened readiness.

Alert I – Station Standby: ARFF personnel stand by in their apparatus on the fire station ramp.
Alert II – ARFF personnel respond to pre-determined standby positions for the landing runway; may escalate to Alert III.
Alert III – Crash or fire involving an aircraft.

Important Contact Information