PA NEWS
Published biweekly for Port Authority and PATH employees
O
n July 21, the Board of
Commissioners approved
plans to relocate the Koenig
Sphere – the iconic sculpture that
stood at the base of the Twin Towers
(as pictured) and survived the 9/11
terrorist attacks – from its temporary
home in Battery Park to Liberty Park.
“The sphere is a symbol of strength
and survival and reflects the Port
Authority’s continuing commitment to
remember those, including 84 agency
employees, who were lost 15 years
Continued on page 5
TBAs Complete Trial by Fire
O
n the morning
of Saturday, July
16, the south
tube of the Lincoln
Tunnel was closed to
traffic due to a series of
intense car fires – or,
as the Port Authority’s
Tunnel & Bridge
Agents may describe it,
graduation.
To clarify, the LT
Two TBA trainees go toe-to-toe with a blazing minivan in the
wasn’t really the
live burn exercise in the LT.
site of a five-alarm
emergency; rather it was the final testing grounds for seven individuals who
have completed the rigorous training to become TBAs: Zachary Andren,
Mike Davis, Travis Horwath, Justin Gecik, Andres Smith, Shawn Sturdy,
and Fortunato Zanet. They join a select group at the PA charged with
responding to traffic accidents and other possibly life-threatening situations at
the agency’s high-profile crossings.
For this “live burn” exercise, a tradition dating back to the 1970s, TBA and LT Fire
Marshal Richard Cravello started controlled fires in three different vehicles – a
sports car, sedan, and minivan – about a half-mile from the Manhattan exit. The
Joe Monte
Sphere to
Return Home
July 25, 2016 | Volume 15 | Number 15
Continued on page 4
The Koenig Sphere was the centerpiece of
the Austin J. Tobin Plaza at WTC prior to the
9/11 attacks.
T
he Board of Commissioners on
July 21 authorized $600 million
toward the construction of a
new world-class terminal to replace
Terminals C and D for Delta Air Lines
at LaGuardia Airport. The authorization
for this terminal, which will integrate
with the new Terminal B, marks phase
two of LGA’s historic redevelopment.
Continued on page 4
T
he Port Authority yet
again demonstrated
its commitment to the
brave men and women of
the United States military,
partnering with the United
Service Organizations to open
a 2,000-square-foot, stateof-the-art center for them
and their families in Newark
Liberty International Airport’s
Terminal B.
New Jersey Airports General Manager Diane
The EWR’s USO center,
Papaianni and Deputy GM Doug Stearns in front
of the new USO center.
which opened on July
21, features a wide array
Robert Nasso
Board Authorizes
Next Phase of LGA
Redevelopment
EWR’s New USO Center Provides
Hero’s Welcome
Continued on page 5
ARFF’s Always Ready
T
PAPD/ARFF
here was little
media coverage
of an aircraft
engine fire that
occurred at John F.
Kennedy International
Airport on June 24.
But that’s because
JFK’s Aircraft Rescue
and Firefighting
(ARFF) unit prevented
any breaking news.
The aircraft in
question – an Airbus
380 – was undergoing Sgt. Barry Daskal, ARFF Crew Chief, directs the handline
operation for the emergency response.
a post-flight inspection
after arriving from Seoul, South Korea, when mechanics discovered the engine
fire. Upon notification, ARFF responded to the scene, extinguished the fire with
handlines, and cooled the engine so it could be inspected.
It’s believed a hydraulic fluid leak caused the fire. Nobody was injured.
ARFF members who responded to the fire are ARFF Deputy Fire Chief Travis
McNichols; Sergeants Barry Daskal and Josef Windisch; and Police
Officers Ian Searing, William Boye, Russell Hanson, Antony Fabbri,
Michael DiRaimondo, Rafael Ruiz, Mario Polito, Andrew Seidner, Kevin
Wallace, Francis Pisano, Vincent Anzalone Jr., Michael Wittman, Robert
McLaughlin, Qi Chen, and Steven Auerbach.
Calendar
Deadline
Approaching
For Award
Nominations
Nominations for
the Pillars of the Port
Authority Award are
due August 5 via the
online form here.
The award will be
presented to five active employees who
uphold the qualities of the 84 colleagues
we lost on 9/11, including commitment
to public service, industry expertise,
honor and integrity, and strength and
resilience. Recipients will be honored at
the September 7 kick-off event for the
annual Remembrance Through Renewal
Program. For more information, read the
HR Broadcast or email [email protected].
Trading Post
Need Giants tickets? What about a new
car? Visit Trading Post on EmployeeNet.
PA Completes Milestone Donation of 9/11 Artifacts
Mercedes Guzman
T
he Port Authority on July 19 donated the last massive
pieces of the World Trade Center that were recovered
after 9/11 and preserved in John F. Kennedy
International Airport’s Hangar 17.
The pieces – a 40,000-pound section of the parking
structure, 40,000-pound component of the north tower
antenna, and 35,000-pound elevator motor – were given
to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T),
which plans to display them in one of its exhibits.
T2T received the pieces at a ceremony outside Hangar
17. First responders from the PA Police, New York Police
Department, New York Fire Department, and other
agencies were on hand for this historic send-off.
PAPD Deputy Inspector John Roland spoke on behalf
of the PAPD. His words paid tribute to the people whose
memories will live on through the donated WTC fragments.
“Each of us holds a special memory of lives lost during
that tragic day and, of course, memories of acts of valor
and courage,” he said. “Our first responders continue to
serve and protect our communities with undying devotion
and dedication.”
Hangar 17 served as the sanctuary for more than 2,500
artifacts, most of which have been passed on to museums,
fire stations, and other organizations worldwide. The PA
plans to resume using the hangar for aviation purposes.
PAPD Deputy Inspector John Roland speaks at the event
commemorating the donation of the last three substantial pieces of the
original WTC.
PA News / July 25, 2016
2
JFK’s T5 Accelerates Customer Service
T
he Port Authority’s Big Brothers
and Sisters are looking for
employees to join them in
becoming a strong and positive force
in the lives of young people.
Since 2007, the PA has partnered
with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New
York City on the Workplace Mentoring
Program, which matches 11th and
12th grade students (“Littles”) from an
under-resourced school with staffers
(“Bigs”) who serve as mentors during
the school year to help the students
reach their full career potential. The
program also includes field trips to
places like the One World Observatory.
The program meets at least once
a month at 4 World Trade Center,
usually Wednesdays from 3:30 to
5:30 p.m. If you’re interested in this
fulfilling opportunity, email Alex Nin
at [email protected].
Candidates
Wanted for Snow
Season Jobs
Human Resources is seeking referrals
from employees and retirees for the
Building Construction/General Maintainer
and Electrician titles. Direct interested
candidates to www.jointheportauthority.
com to view job descriptions and apply
online. You can send your referrals,
complete with résumé, to HRD’s Serina
Evans at [email protected].
PA Welcomes New Leadership Fellows,
First-Ever Operations Fellows
I
t was a day of exciting
introductions on July 18, as
the Port Authority welcomed
its newest class of Leadership
Fellows and its first-ever class of
Operations Fellows.
Over two years, the Leadership
Fellows will rotate through several
departmental assignments
that will prepare them for
future leadership roles in the
Meet the new Fellows: (from left) Zachary Bloom,
organization. The Operations
Sean Kazmark, Jeffrey Griffin, Ai Yamanaka, Kirsten
Fellows will each complete an
Jones, Madeline Garant, Siobhan Buchta, Sarah
accelerated two-year rotational
Glose, Samuel Orlan, and Ibrahim Thiam.
development program within
a line department, gaining the experience and skills to eventually fulfill a key
operations role in that business area.
The Leadership Fellows are Kirsten Jones, assigned to Planning & Regional
Development; Sarah Glose, assigned to Operations Programs in the Office
of the Chief Operating Officer, Ai Yamanaka, assigned to Aviation at John
F. Kennedy International Airport; Jeffrey Griffin, assigned to Transportation
Planning in Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals; and Zachary Bloom, assigned to the
Office of Continuous Improvement.
The Operations Fellows are Ibrahim Thiam and Madeline Garant, both
assigned to Aviation; Samuel Orlan and Siobhan Buchta, both assigned to
TB&T; and Sean Kazmark, assigned to Port Commerce.
Mike Dombrowski
Michele Delgado
Big Sister Alex Nin with her “Little,” Yecicka
Cantu, at the One World Observatory.
A
viation Director Thomas
Bosco on July 14
helped JetBlue Executive
Vice President for Customer
Experience Joanna Geraghty
cut the ribbon on a new lobby
area designed to expedite the
departure process in John F.
Kennedy International Airport’s
Terminal 5.
Aviation Director Thomas Bosco lends a hand to
The lobby features several
cut the ribbon on the new lobby in JFK’s Terminal
amenities that are expected to
reduce wait times, including more 5 – fully stocked to speed things up for departing
passengers.
than 70 interactive self-service
kiosks and 12 bag-drop locations.
This T5 enhancement supports the Port Authority’s overarching Customer
Care Program, which has added dozens of amenities throughout the airport
system, including new suites for nursing mothers, and expanded use of
Automated Passport Control and Mobile Passport Control kiosks to improve the
experience for international passengers.
At the ribbon-cutting event, Mr. Bosco stressed that the PA “is committed to
enhancing the overall customer experience and investing in creative solutions
to address the growing volumes of trade and travel.”
Robert Nasso
Inspire Someone:
Be a Big Brother
Or Sister
PA News / July 25, 2016
3
Board Authorizes
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
trainees were then challenged
to successfully respond to these
vehicular infernos. And they all did.
The trainees drove in with a
“tunnel wrecker” truck through
the smoke-filled LT, navigating
to the scene using state-ofthe-art infrared scanners, and
extinguished the fire with
Some of the TBAs in training, including participants
Purple-K (a dry-chemical fire
from the July 16 tunnel burn: (from left) Justin
suppression agent), AFFF-AR
Gecik, Fortunato Zanet, Shawn Sturdy, Andres
foam, and water from the LT’s
Smith, Zachary Andren, and Travis Horwath.
standpipe system.
The exercise was administered by Human Resources’ Technical Training
Academy Manager John Baum, Senior Technical Trainers Keith Badler and
Michael Miller, STBAs Mark Kulick and Cesar Carvajal, and the LT Tour
Manager Eric Dejarnette.
The live burn concludes the new TBAs’ comprehensive training program,
which consisted of in-class instruction and hands-on exercises in firefighting,
extrication, vehicle removal, and training in emergency medical response and
hazardous materials.
“Today’s board action exemplifies
the Port Authority’s commitment
to our passengers by continuing
our efforts to modernize our
transportation facilities and create
world-class airports,” said Chairman
John Degnan.
“Nearly a year ago, Governor
Cuomo unveiled his vision for a 21st
century, unified LaGuardia Airport,”
said Vice Chairman Steven Cohen.
“With nearly 80 percent of the $8
billion project funded through private
finance and existing passenger fees,
the new LaGuardia Airport is a model
of the private sector and government
working together to deliver critical
transportation projects for the region.”
Read more in the press release.
Keith Badler
TBAs Complete Trial by Fire
Retirements
PAPD Brings A-Game for Families
Of Fallen Heroes
Photos: John Munson, The Star-Ledger
T
he Port Authority Police
on July 14 left it all on
the field in the PA Police
Benevolent Association’s 9/11
15th Anniversary Charity
Softball Game.
About 20 PAPD officers faced
WFAN personalities Boomer
Esiason and Craig Carton’s AllStars, which featured several
sports legends, at Cochrane
Stadium in Jersey City. The game
raised money for families of the
37 PAPD officers lost on 9/11
and five officers killed in the
Dallas police shooting on July 7.
About 100 fans attended
the event, organized by PO
Troy Moravek. The AllStars included New York Jets
linebacker Bart Scott.
The All-Stars won 12-7, but
both teams were in high spirits
having supported a great cause.
The PAPD Honor Guard kicked off the charity game
with a presentation of the colors. From left: PO
Joseph O’Leary, PO Mark Legiec, Sgt. Juan Diaz,
PO. Edgar Villanueva, Sgt. Scott Kelliher, and Sgt.
Edwardo Gonzalez.
The PAPD and their opponents, Carton and
Boomer’s All-Stars, pose for a group photo.
Law’s Paul Gembara is retiring in
style after 31 years of service. You can
wish him well at 10 a.m. on August 4
at 4 WTC, 25th floor, Conference Room
25-05-06. See the bulletin for more
information.
The Office of the Chief Security Officer’s
Jo-Ann Dalessio is clocking out. Be sure
to wish her well on August 25 from 5 to
9 p.m. at Cadillac Cantina in Hoboken, NJ.
See the bulletin for more details.
PARA Wants You
The Port Authority Retirees Association
invites active and retired PA and PATH
employees to join its 4,200 members.
PARA allows you to stay current with
news about the agency, its employees and
retirees, and with state and federal issues
of importance to retirees, such as benefit,
pension, and Social Security updates.
The membership fee is $10 a year. Visit
www.paranynj.org for more information
and to sign up for PARA’s email bulletins.
PA News / July 25, 2016
4
CSO, CTO Cybersecurity Tip #7: Hone
Your Browsing Techniques
Browsing
Techniques
VS.
I
t’s extremely important to use caution when browsing the internet at
work and home, as there are many cybersecurity risks. Here are tips on how
to safely browse the internet:
1. E
nsure that website addresses are accurate before visiting them. Review
website addresses for misspellings, extra words, characters, numbers, or
a completely different name from what you would expect the website to
have.
A News is primarily about the
It’s All About You
P
agency’s
employees
andin a website, email, or document, hover over the
2.When
clicking
on a link
retirees.
If
you
want
to
submit
link to reveal its true destination.
If the website destination is not what
something
to
be
published,
think
you expect from the link, don’t click on Init.the market for a pair of end tables?
“PA names and faces.”
Apartment hunting in Nutley ? Visit Trading
that send
use HTTPS
3.
in the website address
are encrypted and should be
Post on EmployeeNet.
OnSites
Outlook,
it to panews.
used
whenever
possible
(e.g.,
https://login.microsoftonline.com).
From outside the agency, it’s
[email protected].
4.Be aware that information can be collected when you visit a website,
PAsuch
Newsasis your
published
weekly and
IP address,
computer name, software details, and
is archived
–
and
searchable
– on install “cookies” on your PC so they
passwords. Some websites
EmployeeNet.
If you’d
PA News sent to your
can keep track of your movements within
thelike
site.
Get PA News
personal e-mail address, send a note to
[email protected].
EWR’s New USO Center Provides
Hero’s Welcome
PARA Wants You
A
A
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at Home
employees who
who have
type Outlook
paenet.panynj.gov
enter
your
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The enter
site is for
useWindows
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location with Internet access. Just
office computer.
from your office computer.
Continued from page 1
ago and those who survived the terrible
attacks at the World Trade Center site,”
said Chairman John Degnan.
“Returning the iconic Koenig
Sphere to its rightful home at the
World Trade Center site symbolizes
our resilience in the wake of
unspeakable horror and that we will
never forget those who were lost on
that fateful day in September,” said
Vice Chairman Steven Cohen.
Read the press release to learn
more about the sphere.
The PA & You
Flu Shots Available
The PA is providing employees with
seasonal flu vaccinations at its four clinics.
Just walk in during the hours below.
Achievements
• PATC – 241 Erie Street, Room 224,
Monday to Friday, 8 to 9 a.m. and
at EWR, TEB
1Perfection
to 2 p.m.
staffers
from Newark
– 1 PATH Plaza,
Concourse
• JSTCNinety-seven
level,
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and Teterboro
airports
Thursdays,
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11:30 a.m.
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to 3 p.m. in 2015. New Jersey Airports
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a.m.(29
to 3:30
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yearsp.m.
of perfect
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Fred Longernecker (14 years), and Al
Kosakowski (33 years).
Discount Program
Linda Bellafiore
T
o keep up with news on the PA
and
its impact
Continued
from
page 1on the regional
he Port Authority Retirees
economy, you can sign up to
Association
invites
active and
and
ofreceive
amenities,
including
internet
and telephone access, plenty
of food
the agency’s
e-mail
newsletter,
retired PA and PATH employees
beverages,
and
dedicated volunteers to provide assistance and maintain the
Growing the
Region.
to join its 4,200 members.
facility.
To subscribe, visit:
PARA allows you to stay current
“The Port Authority is honored to support
members
of the
U.S.itsarmed
http://www.panynj.gov/about/newsletwithallnews
about the
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Social Security
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with the rank of Colonel.
The membership fee is $10 a year.
The center was developed through contributions
from the PA
Visit www.paranynj.org
forand
more infororganizations such as Prudential Financial,mation
Johnson
and
Turner
and&toJohnson,
sign up for
PARA’s
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Construction Company.
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Return Home
Port Authority employees and retirees
can take advantage of hundreds of
discounts at stores, theaters, theme parks,
and more through Working Advantage, the
PA’s Employee Discount Program partner.
Visit www.workingadvantage.com and use
the PA Member ID number – 405042634.
FluGet
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If you’d like
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News
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personal e-mail address, send
employees.
Click
here
to [email protected].
for details
PA News / July 25, 2016
5