LAX Launches Partnership to Train Service Workers for Emergencies

Sept. 7, 2016

Airport officials announced Sept. 6, a groundbreaking partnership with Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW) to train hundreds of airport service workers contracted by the airlines, concessionaires, and other tenants to respond effectively during emergencies at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  Service workers perform a wide range of assignments for airport tenants, including wheelchair and baggage handling, interior aircraft cleaning, airline security, aircraft fueling, cargo and dangerous goods handling, aeronautical maintenance, and custodial services.

“It takes the entire airport community to respond effectively to a serious airport emergency,” said Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton,  “LAX staff has made significant changes to ensure airport safety through improved response coordination, increased emergency management staff resources, new equipment, extensive training, and establishing mutual-aid agreements with outside organizations, such as the American Red Cross.  Training airport service workers to assist passengers during critical times complements the overall emergency-response effort.”

SEIU-USWW and its award-winning training fund called the Building Skills Partnership, airline services provider G2 Secure Staff, American Airlines, and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) began developing the curriculum and pilot training program in February 2016.  The pilot program will launch in the next few weeks for a group of workers who provide services directly to passengers in Terminal 4.  The pilot program will be evaluated, refined as needed, and then tailored to address the unique characteristics of each terminal, other airport locations, work-group classifications, terminal-specific

emergency procedures, and chain of command.  Core principles and elements of the training will be consistent throughout the airport, focusing on emergency observation skills, stakeholder communications, evacuation procedures, notification protocols, basic understanding of the Incident Command System, and identifying emergency responders of partner agencies.

The new training program parallels the emergency-response management method advocated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) called the “Whole Community Approach.”  This approach recognizes that private-sector individuals and organizations can play important roles during emergencies.  The approach is based on three principles:  understanding the needs of the community, engaging and empowering all parts of the community, and strengthening what works on a daily basis.

The training program also helps service providers comply with requirements of their Certified Service Provider Program (CSPP) License Agreement that allows them to operate and conduct business at LAX.  The CSPP establishes minimum standards that include emergency preparedness, LAX rules and regulations, compliance officer, training requirements and minimum staffing, customer service, equipment and motor vehicles, administrative requirements, labor harmony language, and applicable contractor responsibility program requirements.        

“The airlines and other tenants at LAX contract thousands of workers to provide passenger and aircraft services.  They are valued members of the LAX community,” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint.  “Training these workers provides them with skills to keep themselves safe during an airport emergency, to directly assist passengers, and to contribute to the overall emergency response and recovery.”

“In times of crisis, airport workers are on the front lines,” said David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union-United Workers West.  “We saw that during the shooting incident in 2013, when our members provided vital assistance to travelers.  Not only was a passenger-service agent the first to call and alert Airport Police about the incident, many workers guided passengers to safety, helped evacuate passengers with disabilities, and provided comfort during the wait.  Training will help make our members more effective in this critical role, which is why we are pleased to partner with the airport authority and employers to develop this program.”