Allianz Commits $10,000 to NEMSPA Sponsored EDP Research
Online, March 5, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Allianz Commits $10,000 to NEMSPA Sponsored EDP Research
ANAHEIM, California (February 25, 2014) Jon Downey, Head of Aviation US for Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, recently announced that Allianz has committed $10,000 towards the En route Decision Point (EDP) Research Project. The EDP protocol, which provides predetermined limits to helicopter pilots operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in deteriorating weather conditions, was developed and has been promoted by the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) as a method of reducing controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. "The EDP protocol provides the VFR helicopter pilot with built-in 'no-go' limitations, similar to those required of any pilot executing an instrument approach procedure," explained Downey, "and as a leading aviation insurer, Allianz believes that the protocol will have a significant industry impact and will help increase aviation safety further."
NEMSPA is raising $75,000 to support the research project, which consists of a simulator based study intended to validate the concept. Ron Fergie, NEMPSA's president, has indicated that a number of helicopter air medical programs have already embraced the EDP protocol with great success. "We believe the EDP concept has the potential to save numerous lives at virtually no cost to the industry," said Fergie. "EDP is something that works, and works very well."
For more information about the EDP concept and the EDP research project, visit www.edp.nemspa.org.
About Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
AGCS Americas has over 900 employees across 20 major cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico with head offices in New York and Chicago. The Company's engineers, underwriters and claims specialists have deep expertise in insurance and risk management in marine, aviation, energy, property, casualty and construction, with gross premiums in the Americas totaling $1.8 billion in 2012.
Worldwide, AGCS operates in 28 countries with own units and in more than 160 countries through the Allianz Group network and partners. It employs more than 3,500 people and provides insurance solutions to more than half of the Fortune Global 500 companies, writing a total of €5.3 billion gross premium worldwide annually (2012). AGCS is rated AA by Standard & Poor's and A+ by A.M.Best (November 2013).
For more information please visit www.agcs.allianz.com or follow us on Twitter @AGCS_Insurance.
Contact
Bill Winn, General Manager, NEMSPA
William.Winn@nemspa.org
801-450-6912
