Ensuring Public Safety, One Passenger at a Time

Episode Description

Whether it’s assisting travelers in medical emergencies, training for an aircraft rescue and firefighting simulation, or assisting in Presidential visits, the Department of Public Safety at McGhee Tyson Airport is critical to passenger safety and the continuous operations of the airport. In this episode, hear from Chief Tom Aiken as he shares the training and experience it takes to be a police, fire, and medically-trained airport officer.

Guest in this Episode

Tom Aiken is the Director of the Department of Public Safety at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA). He has been with the MKAA for 40 years.

Mentioned in this Episode

MKAA Public Safety Officers are certified in three disciplines: police, fire, and medical response
Looking at the airport through the perspective of ‘before and after 9/11’
MKAA is a signatory to the State Mutual Aid Assistance Act
Previous Podcast Episode Referenced: Special Edition: Airport Emergency Response Exercise
Chief Aiken’s favorite memories over the past 40 years:
- Planning and implementing six (6!) air shows
- Hosting elected dignitaries; He remembers having both Air Force One and Air Force Two on property at the same time during a campaign visit
Fire trucks: Rosenbauer Panthers
- used trucks for assistance during the 2012 mulch fires in Knoxville