Last week, two Hercules C-130s flew to KCIA carrying planeloads of pets in what may be the largest pet rescue flight in history, dubbed “Paws Across the Pacific.”

Greater Good Charities and Wings of Rescue partnered with the John R. Peterson Foundation to fly more than 600 shelter dogs and cats from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. The Paws Across the Pacific flight is urgently needed to make space in Hawaii’s shelters for at-risk pets who otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive necessary care to survive.

Pet shelters in Hawaii are in a COVID-19 crisis because normal operations have been affected by months of shutdowns, the economic downturn, and routine flights to mainland halted.

Pet shelters and rescue groups from around the Puget Sound region picked up many of the pets, while 120 of the pets continued their journey to Walla Walla and Coeur d’Alene.

The National Weather Service is predicting colder weather than usual for the Pacific Northwest this winter, and King County International Airport staff are getting ready.

“We’re preparing the airport for tenant safety by staging ‘NAAC’ de-icing material around the airport,” said Chase Dolliver, a Utility Worker at the airport. “Getting people trained is one of our top priorities, and obviously the mechanics are doing a great job getting the equipment ready.”

The airport recently held their annual winter weather tenant meeting to share information about how the airport is preparing for winter weather.

“I realize how important it is,” Dolliver said, pointing out some of the flights that come in and out of KCIA. “We have Airlift Northwest. They have helicopters that go out and do rescue missions. They airlift people from Alaska to here, with an ambulance waiting to take them to Harborview (hospital).”

Of course, keeping private planes, corporate jets and Boeing jets moving is critical to customers, business and the economy as well.

Staff have had to adjust winter preparation training procedures and routines due to COVID-19. In a typical winter, large groups of staff get together for training. Now, training is conducted in groups of two, with employees wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

“We just have to spend more time. The key is we started early in the season,” Dolliver said.

Staff are training on new equipment as well. The airport has a new back-up de-icer and a new “little broom,” that attaches to the front of a Toro mower.

“It spins the broom so it’s shooting snow,” Dolliver explained. “They’re super fun.”

The airport obtained used large snow brooms from Sea Tac Airport before winter 2019 and put them into service.

“Maintenance staff have been working diligently to be sure snow equipment is ready to go: de-icer, plows, little brooms,” Dolliver added.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) unit members participated in a ceremony commissioning a new 1,500 gallon ARFF truck and a new command truck last week. King County Chaplain Joel Ingebritson officiated, blessing the trucks for the work ahead in saving lives, property and the environment. Chaplain Ingebritson anointed the trucks with water and oil, and the ceremony ended in a “push-in” to the station bay. This is a tradition dating back over a century, when fire trucks were drawn by horses and firefighters pushed the trucks back into the station after every call.

“I am excited to usher in a new era of firefighting here at KCIA, with state of the art equipment and a dedicated crew cross-trained as firefighters, EMTs, and police officers,” said Sergeant Clint Herman, who organized the ceremony with the support of Chief Greg Thomas. Sergeant Herman participated in a push-in early in his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter.

It takes lots of training to keep an airport operating safely and efficiently - not to mention great employees dedicated to continuing education. Congratulations to the crew at KCIA for earning the 2019 American Association of Airport Executives ANTN Digicast Excellence Award for Airport Training!

This award recognizes airport employees and others for achieving certain levels of training. KCIA is one of just two airports in the state of Washington to receive the ANTN Digicast Award this year. 

"Kudos to the team for understanding the importance of quality training, and continuing to enhance and expand our training efforts through the use of IET for our online movement area driver training," said Davey Pilley, Manager of Operations and Compliance at KCIA.

King County International Airport is committed to improving operations, advancing safety, and cultivating overall preparedness.