b'26 AVLEMERGENCY OPERATIONS the storm that they were able to confirm the Many airport employees worked safety of all staff members.around the clock after the storm.The mental health of residents throughout Western North Carolina was a primary concern well after the storm, as water service remained out for weeks and many were without power for that long as well. Airport personnel were asked to complete a single check-in session with professional counselors provided by AVL, and additional counseling was available on request. Our guest services team members were dealing with a lot of passengers and others who wanted to relive the In addition to the 100 passengersChecking On Airport Staffers experience. It was taking a toll on who were stranded over the weekend atAnother immediate concern for AVLthem [the employees], Kinsey relates. the airport, about 50 additional peoplemanagement was determining the statusEverybody was a victim in this storm. sought shelter there because nearbyof approximately 100 airport employees.We were not just being empathetic and evacuation shelters were full. The airportsHowever, it was nearly impossible to reachlistening to somebody elses crisis. It was a concessionaire, Paradies Lagardre,those who were not already working onsite.crisis for all of us.provided free meals for those strandedWhats more, their contact information was at the airport and employees who werestored electronically and not accessible.Post-Disaster Assessmentworking through the weekend. Avis RentalThe airports human resources team setThe military stayed on site at the airport Car offered access to its fuel so airportup quarters at a hotel outside Buncombeuntil Oct. 21, nearly a month after the vehicles could operate while fuel deliveryCounty and began reaching out to allstorm. Several weeks after the hurricane, as wasnt possible. employees. It wasnt until several days afterthe airport returned to normal operations, an assessment of the response from all those involved was initiated. AVL leadership continues to review how various teams responded to the crisis and is pulling together lessons that can prepare airport personnel and partners for future emergencies.Areas of focus include:The airports dependency on internet and cellphones, and what alternatives existLogistics for mutual aid response and how to improve the process Ensuring that the airport maintains CUSTOM TENSION FABRIC BUILDINGS FAA and TSA compliance standardsSUPERIOR PERFORMANCE.Knowing the true capacity for ground RAPID INSTALLATION. operationsPotable water for passengers and employees; food and lodgingFully Customizable Concept to Installation Bits and pieces of everything you learn Fast-Track Construction Patented Attachment System and train for are helpful, Farmer reflects. In-House Engineering Relocatable I had been through Hurricane Florence in 2018 while working at Charlotte. Ive been through an aircraft crash with fatalities. All Call for more information, or to receive a quoteof those things and all of the training you 877.259.1528| LEGACYBUILDINGSOLUTIONS.COM get kick in and help you think about what you need to do.May | June 2025AirportImprovement.com'