Airport briefed on wildlife fencing, UHF radios and RSAT safety work

Airport staff reported that the FAA grant has come through and that the airport is now waiting on an FDOT grant to be considered by the city commission on Aug. 11; if FDOT funding is approved the airport expects to move forward on a wildlife-fencing project designed to prevent coyotes from accessing the airfield by digging under perimeter fences.

The presentation covered communications upgrades as well: handheld UHF radios have been distributed to operations staff to improve in-field communications, and staff are pursuing a crash phone for the tower and regular tabletop emergency exercises coordinated with county fire and police. Staff also briefed the board on recent RSAT work that identified hot spots (Runway 220, Bravo and Taxiway Echo) and suggested pilot-awareness tools such as an FAA-produced pilot-perspective video. Two recent 'alert two' events (reports of rough-running engines) were handled with fire standing by and no injuries; staff said the events will inform future exercises.