Frost Named Inaugural Recipients of New Safety Award

FROST (Fast Response Operational Safety Team) was named as the inaugural recipient of the new Des Barker Safety Award during the ICAS Chairman’s Banquet on Thursday, December 15. 

Named after Major General Des Barker (South African Air Force, retired), this new award is jointly presented by ICAS and the European Air Show Council in alternating years. Barker was a former fighter pilot, test pilot and air show performer who devoted much of his post-retirement time to researching and better understanding air show accidents. He was the author of three books on air show accidents, including Anatomy of Air Show Accidents published by ICAS last year. General Barker was killed in a general aviation accident in March, 2021.

Created in 2017, FROST personnel are specially trained to deploy a rapid, industry-specific response to incidents and accidents at air shows. The team uses lightweight, professional-grade rescue and communications equipment to complement traditional crash/fire/rescue personnel and provide emergency response specific to the unique needs of the air show environment.