An in-house firefighting crew is set to begin serving the Gary/Chicago International Airport Sept. 1, officials said during Tuesday’s airport authority meeting.
Officials said in March they expected the transition from city firefighters to the private airport-based firefighters to begin in June, but that deadline wasn’t met.
Meanwhile, the airport authority approved an extension of an agreement with the city to provide airport rescue and firefighting services through Aug. 31.
About six to eight Gary firefighters are based at the airport on a daily basis. They’ll be replaced by new personnel who will be trained and certified, said airport executive director Duane Hayden.
Hayden said the realignment is a typical one at other airports, as well. Hayden and AvPORTS manager Curt Ulmen, who oversees the airport’s day-to-day operations, both said the move will be a cost-saver.
Ulmen said personnel still need to be hired and the Gary Fire Department was vetting applicants. The new hires will be cross-trained as not only firefighters, but as operations workers, as well.
The new hires will staff the airport 24 hours a day and be considered AvPORTS’ employees.
Ulmen said revenue from a compact agreement with the city of Chicago would be used to support the fire and rescue staffing. He couldn’t offer an estimate of the cost.
The airport authority, however, also approved a resolution authorizing a $600,000 interfund loan from a tax increment finance fund to the general fund to cover some of the expenses. Hayden said the loan would be paid back early next year.
In other business, the airport board also approved a $42,000 agreement with the city to provide information technology services. Officials said the cost of the contract remained at last year’s level.
Ulmen said 52 international flights have taken place at the airport since a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facility opened last year.
“We’re on track, word is finally getting out that we’re open,” Ulman said. “We’re close to Chicago and all the hubs. We’re trending very well.”
On Aug. 16-18, the airport will again serve as the staging site for the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Hayden said the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will appear and the city is planning activities to promote the airport during the Chicago show.
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