Aerobridge

What It Is: An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Aerobridge coordinates general aviation pilots and aircraft to provide emergency response in support of governments and NGOs in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, primarily in the U.S. and within 1,000 nautical miles of its borders.

How It Grew: In 2004, a handful of business aviation professionals established Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.), to use general aviation aircraft for relief missions, and named Marianne Stevenson as president. After Hurricane Katrina devasted New Orleans the following year, the organization immediately arranged more than 150 flights that carried some 1,000 relief personnel and 250,000 pounds of critical supplies.

Following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the group reactivated its resources, organizing more than 700 flights by 125 aircraft, transporting some 3,800 passengers and 1.4 million pounds of supplies. The organization subsequently rebranded as Aerobridge.

It participated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Level Exercise 2011, which simulated a catastrophic earthquake in the U.S. to test initial response and recovery capabilities, and policies and procedures.

In the week prior to the arrival of superstorm Sandy in the Northeast U.S. in 2012, Aerobridge commenced response work, ultimately coordinating more than 95 aircraft to deliver over 120,000 pounds of supplies donated nationwide to affected areas of New Jersey and New York during its two-week effort.

Aerobridge solicitated and coordinated donation of supplies and organized relief flights in Ecuador after earthquakes ravaged the South American country in 2016. The following year, it conducted relief missions in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in September, some 325 Aerobridge pilots carried in excess of 500,000 pounds of supplies.

What It Offers:

Disaster relief. Coordinates general-aviation aircraft with emergency response teams and critical supplies, providing a vital and otherwise unavailable assistance resource.

Humanitarian aid. To further its relief mission, Aerobridge assists international humanitarian aid projects in seven underdeveloped countries, establishing links with local NGOs considered critical in times of disaster relief.

What It Needs: Aerobridge seeks “aviation leaders in the U.S. with logistics backgrounds to serve as directors of emergency services,” according to Aerobridge president Marianne Stevenson.

FAST FACTS:

Founded: 2004

HQ: Grass Valley, California

Staff: About 14

President: Marianne Stevenson

Website: aerobridge.org