FAA Systems Specialists Ensure Quick Recovery From Flooding at Austin Tower

Details: Published: November 04, 2015

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), the union that represents Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) systems specialists nationwide, is recognizing the commitment of systems specialists in Austin, Texas, who have worked around the clock in response to the flooding of the Air Traffic Control Tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The quick response of these employees from the point the water started to rise on Friday throughout the incident has resulted in the facility being back online and functional today.

Last Friday, the five systems specialists working at the Tower shifted into crisis mode when water started to flood the facility. “When the water started to rise, we launched into action and focused on protecting the equipment,” said Dan Rodriguez, a PASS member and systems specialist at the airport. When the water continued flooding into the facility, Rodriguez and his coworkers used their in-depth knowledge and safety awareness skills to determine a way to turn off the power even though the room was flooded with over a foot-and-a-half of water. By using a fiberglass ladder, the group was able to turn off the breaker and not put themselves at personal risk. This not only allowed the equipment to be saved but it allowed the air traffic controllers to safely evacuate the building. “It was either turn off the power or let everything be completely destroyed,” he said. “If we hadn’t made the decision we made, there could have been so much more damage.”

Even after the power was shutoff, Rodriguez said it initially appeared as if the damage was catastrophic and worried the facility would be out of service for weeks. “But, within 72 hours, Technical Operations employees had everything back online and working,” he said. Rodriguez said having adequate systems specialist staffing at the time of the incident also assisted in the rapid response. “If we weren’t there when this happened, all they would be doing now is bulldozing and starting to think about a new facility.”

“The systems specialists represented by PASS are true examples of federal employees doing what it takes when it is needed in order to keep the aviation system running,” said Dave Spero, PASS regional vice president. “The Austin Tower systems specialists did everything in the three days after the flooding to make sure jobs got done, equipment was protected and the aviation system could get back to serving the flying public of Austin.”

For more information or questions, please contact Jessica Cigich at 202.293.7277 ext. 117.

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For 38 years, PASS has represented more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures and perform quality analyses of the aviation systems. For more information, visit the PASS website at www.passnational.org.