Milaris Florian has been appointed as Director of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for the City of Philadelphia's Department of Aviation. She's been in the aviation industry for nearly ten years and was employed at Newark International (EWR), Wilmington (ILG) and Patrick Leahy Burlington International (BTV) Airports. Her background includes a deep understanding of security, safety, and airport operations. Florian’s career in aviation began with JetBlue's ground operations department, at EWR airport and progressed to an Airport Operations Coordinator at ILG airport. She was also a remote pilot operator at Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma.
Florian holds two Bachelor's degrees in Airport Management and Business Management. She also has a Master of Science in Homeland Security with a concentration in Safety and Security from Wilmington University. In addition, she is a is a member of the operations, safety, planning, and emergency management (OSPEM) committee with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
In the following months, Florian will work on submitting the SMS Implementation plan and SMS manual to the FAA for approval. The SMS manual will serve as a safety guide for PHL airport. SMS in aviation consists of structured and proactive methods used to manage safety risks in the industry. SMS is a comprehensive approach to managing safety and integrating policies, procedures, and organizational structures for the continuous improvement of safety performance.
Once approved by the FAA, Department of Aviation staff members, stakeholders, and tenants will be provided with training modules and SMS resources. Implementing an effective SMS can help improve safety performance, reduce accidents, and enhance an overall safety culture within the aviation industry. This plan includes multiple processes to mitigate risks and ensure those that cannot be eliminated can be monitored.
“Airport safety is a top priority at PHL, it entails assessing and mitigating risks. Controlling a sizable area and ensuring the seamless operation of civil aviation are the primary responsibilities of the Safety Department. And using SMS will contribute to heightened airport security,” said Florian. “We want our passengers and employees to be safe as there is someone waiting for them at home.”
