This year's research focuses on two alternative approach to enhancing coordination, cooperation, and communication among airports in a region and between the airports and their emergency response partners. It builds on the 2008 research findings, especially the results of the South Florida workshop, which are discussed in the 2008 final report, "Airport Disaster Preparedness in a Community Context."

First, the project will work with the commercial airports in New England to examine their present cooperative arrangements and explore means by which cooperation could be expanded, particularly in the realm of disaster and catastrophe preparedness, response, and recovery.

Second, the project will work with the Minnesota Council of Airports, a highly organized existing organization of more than ten airports, to look at the same issues as in New England.

Last, the project will evaluate the findings from New England, Minnesota, and South Florida to see what basis, if any, they present for creating analog regional organizations like the Southeast Airports Disaster Operations Group (SEADOG) and Western Airports Disaster Operations Group (WESTDOG).

The draft report was completed July 10, 2009, and was reviewed by participants and stakeholders.

The final report was published to this website on July 27, 2009.