The purpose of the PVD Media Guide is to provide local, national and
international news organizations with information on how to best access
and work with airport staff while covering news events. The Rhode Island
Airport Corporation’s (RIAC) Public Affairs Office is committed to
providing media outlets with the means to obtain information and
assistance from RIAC and the tenants at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.
RIAC oversees and operates Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) and Rhode Island’s
General Aviation (GA) Airports, including Block Island, Quonset, North
Central, Newport and Westerly.
CONTACT US
For specific media questions, please contact the RIAC Public Affairs Office at
Media@PVDAirport.com.
After business hours and on weekends and holidays, please call the
police dispatch at 401-691-2000, x 247. Messages will be forwarded to
the appropriate staff to respond to the call.
MEDIA ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS
Although the airport is a public building, access to the terminal should
be coordinated through Public Affairs for security reasons, unless
otherwise authorized by TSA or an airport tenant.
Media Vehicle procedure:
Media are to notify RIAC Public Affairs at 691-2283 prior to arriving at the airport;
RIAC Public Affairs will notify dispatching, RIAC PD supervisor, Police
Chief and Captain in anticipation of Media vehicle arrival to the
Delivery Court;
RIAC PD supervisor will notify the Police Chief and Captain that media has arrived at the Delivery Court;
All vehicles will be stopped and searched;
Only one Media vehicle per news outlet allowed in Delivery Court;
Media vehicles will only be allowed to park against the fence (where
baggage delivery vehicles park) or in the Delivery Court area away from
the loading dock;
Media vehicles are not allowed to run cable, electricity etc. into any RIAC facility.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibits photography
of the security checkpoint, including the equipment and personnel.
In addition, only ticketed passengers may proceed through the security
checkpoint. The media is welcome in public areas including terminal
lobbies, concession areas and hallways prior to the entrances of
security screening areas. Public areas also include parking lots,
garages, roadways and designated aircraft observation areas. Should a
tenant invite media to cover a story beyond the checkpoint, prior
coordination with the RIAC police and the TSA is required.
When filming at the airport, taking still photos, or conducting
interviews, all media should contact the RIAC Public Affairs office for
assistance prior to arriving. Media representatives are required to
display press identification and identify themselves to anyone they
interview, photograph or film.
The media should not block or restrict movement anywhere in the terminal
and entrances and exits should not be obstructed. When conducting
interviews, the media must not interfere with airport or airline
operations.
RIAC reserves the right to restrict media activity at any location on
airport premises, if public security, safety, or operational concerns so
warrant.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
All requests for interviews with RIAC representatives should go through Public Affairs.
Calls to the state’s General Aviation Airports regarding ongoing
incidents, events and/or accidents will be forwarded to the RIAC
Aeronautics Inspector.
PARKING AND LIVE SHOTS
Media personnel will park all vehicles in Lot D in front of the
terminal. Television trucks, providing a live shot or satellite feed,
may park in the delivery court, which can be accessed through Airport
Road. Prior permission is required from the Public Affairs department,
which coordinates with the RIAC police. No parking is permitted
on airport roadways. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed at
the owner’s expense.
RIAC will designate a media center area in the event of a serious
incident, emergency or VIP arrival and will communicate that information
to the media.
WEATHER AND DELAYS
Airlines, FAA air traffic controllers and pilots determine the delay,
cancellation or re-routing of flights. Inquiries about the number of
impacted flights and passengers should be directed to individual
airlines.
Adverse weather conditions could affect airport operations due to
airfield conditions, visibility or other reasons. Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport does not
close during most inclement weather conditions. At times, there may be
an interruption in operations in order to clear snow and ice from the
runways or ramps. Atmospheric conditions, navigational equipment,
aircraft equipment, pilot qualifications, aircraft de-icing, ground
movement and terminal gate availability all impact decisions to have
flights delayed, canceled or re-routed to other airports.
Only during severe weather would the runways close for any extended
period of time. Flights may be delayed or canceled due to weather at the
flight destination or in other cities. The terminal would remain open
unless damaged or other safety concerns warrant closing all or part of
the terminal. Some airlines or the FAA may delay arrivals or departures
until visibility and conditions improve.
POLICE INCIDENTS
The Public Affairs Department does not provide details regarding a
criminal investigation at the Airport. Media inquiries will be
coordinated through public affairs and the RIAC Police Department.
COMMERCIAL FILMING
Requests to film at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport or the state’s GA Airports should be
made to the RIAC Public Affairs Office. Media interested in filming
passengers, aircraft and/or equipment of a particular airline must
receive approval from RIAC Public Affairs and that airline’s corporate
or local contact. RIAC will assist the media in contacting the airlines.
TSA’s security measures are always enforced. Requests for commercial or
non-profit filming should be directed to Public Affairs at
401-691-2283.
This web site can be used as a source for current and historical
information, construction projects, master plan, EIS, press releases,
flight information, (which is updated by the airlines), ground
transportation services, area hotels and more.
LEASED AREAS
The areas that are leased by the airlines and other tenants, including
ticket counters, gate areas/waiting areas, airline clubs, private
offices, stores and restaurants are under the control of those parties.
Media access to those areas must be approved by the appropriate
business.
AIRFIELD ACCESS
Airfield access is strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the
aircraft operation areas and near the aprons will be handled on a
case-by-case basis. Prior notification is essential to ensure adequate
staffing exists to perform escort duties. Requests for access will be
accommodated to the extent manpower, operational considerations and
safety permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other events
that requires the full attention of the Airport Operations staff, a
prearranged escort may be cancelled.
RIAC PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
It is the policy of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to cooperate
with the news media to the greatest extent possible. Our primary
responsibilities are safe and secure airport operations. During
emergency situations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport or the state’s GA Airports,
RIAC staff will respond to the media as quickly as information becomes
available.
As a rule, during an emergency:
The cause of an aircraft crash or incident is released by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB), and the airline involved after an investigation has been
conducted. Until then, no agency will speculate about the cause of the
incident.
The President and CEO and/or Sr. VP of Operations and Maintenance may
conduct briefings as the situation warrants. If an aircraft accident is
involved, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigating
team will handle the investigation and the release of any information
relative to that investigation. In circumstances where only property
damage occurs, the FAA may conduct the investigation.
The media must not restrict public access to gates, ticket counters, baggage areas or other areas in the terminal.
During an emergency incident, a Public Information Officer (PIO) would
be established working with and for the "Incident Command". Access to
passengers may be subject to approval by the airline involved, the FAA,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the NTSB.
MEDIA INFORMATION CENTER
If necessary, RIAC will create a Media Briefing Center. The RIAC Chief
Aeronautics Inspector is initially the primary spokesperson for aircraft
incidents at Green and the general aviation airports. Subsequent
briefings will occur with representatives from the airlines, RIAC and
other agencies.
AGENCIES OFTEN INVOLVED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation Airport Operations Department
assumes operational control of the airport during aircraft emergency
situations.
AIRLINE(S)
The involved airline is responsible for providing information regarding
passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the
flight, crew and the aircraft. Airline links available on this web
site. Go to Main page and click on Airlines.
RIAC POLICE
The RIAC Police Department is often the first responder and is
responsible for maintaining a security line at the incident site and
patrolling the airfield. Additionally, the Rhode Island State Police may
provide assistance with criminal investigations.
RIAC Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department (ARFF)
ARFF Unit is responsible for airfield incidents and aircraft fire
fighting. ARFF is also first responder to emergency medical incidents at
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.
RIAC AERONAUTICS INSPECTORS
Aeronautics Inspectors are responsible for inspecting all aviation
facilities within the state of Rhode Island as well as enforcing the
Rhode Island Uniform Aeronautical Regulatory Act. Further information on
Rhode Island Aviation Regulations can be found at the following web
site;
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE1/INDEX.HTM.
RIAC Aeronautics Inspectors respond to and investigate all aviation
mishaps within the state and have diverse responsibilities during
aircraft accidents.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB)
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are the federal
agencies that investigate in an emergency situation. They also take
custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire and rescue
activities are concluded until a full investigation is completed or a
release/report is written. Upon the arrival of the NTSB investigating
team, RIAC Public Affairs staff may assume a support role to the NTSB or
the FAA at their request. The NTSB also operates a Family Assistance
program Joint Family Support Operations Center intended to provide for
the family members of those involved in an aircraft incident.
THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
Various branches of the FAA have responsibilities in an aircraft
emergency. The FAA operates the aircraft control towers at T.F. Green
Airport and would control the air traffic during an emergency to permit
rescue equipment to proceed to the accident site.