Inside Winter Prep at Pearson
Some liken stepping inside the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) at Pearson to NASA's Mission Control because of the walls of video monitors spanning the space. Located in Terminal 1, roughly two dozen people representing 11 different departments — security operations, resource management, call center passenger services and more — monitor screens of data to ensure smooth communications and operations across the airport. Each fall, the IOCC begins its transition to the airport’s more complex winter operations. Here are 4 ways the IOCC keeps Pearson running safely and efficiently during the icy, snowy winter months.
They’re always thinking about winter — even in July
In spring, the IOCC team debriefs on the previous winter season, with snow equipment maintenance being a top priority in summer. During August and September, IOCC leaders ensure winter training plans are ready and procedural documents are up to date. “We do recurrent training for everyone on the different processes and procedures required for winter operations," says Patrick Prades, an Airport Duty Manager working in the IOCC. "We work through different scenarios — what if this happens? How do we deal with it?"
They keep the snow and ice at bay
In winter, if more than two centimeters of snow are expected, the IOCC's Airport Operations Control (AOC) will work with the Airfield Maintenance Coordination Centre to manage snow removal. Every snow removal call to the IOCC is logged and stacked in order of importance with help from their Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Then Airfield Maintenance dispatches their teams on a priority basis for snow and ice removal.
They sound the alarm on winter breakdowns and accidents
The IOCC fields maintenance requests when equipment like baggage handling systems fail, which happens more often in extreme cold weather. They also handle calls dealing with passengers or employees who are injured due to ice and snow. "We have extra mats out in the terminal and cleaners to keep the floor clean, but you still have an increased risk of slips and falls," says Chris Mitchell, Associate Director of Airport Operations, who works in the IOCC. These calls are dispatched to the appropriate responder, such as Toronto Pearson Fire and Emergency Services or Peel Regional Paramedic Services.
They plan snow days
A snow forecast of five centimeters or more kicks off the GTAA's snow plan. The IOCC’s Staff Deployment team hustles to call in extra crews while the Airport Duty Manager activates a Departure Traffic Management Initiative (DTMI) 24 hours in advance. This limits the airport's capacity so that airlines must determine whether they will consolidate or cut flights. "People hate it, but it's better than coming to the airport and sitting and not knowing when you're going to go," says Mitchell. The IOCC uses a mass communication system to alert the airport community of the expected snow and remind them to prepare — for instance, by keeping gate areas clear of cones and cables so they can be ploughed.
As snow begins to accumulate, the AOC begins fielding clearance calls and works with the Resource Management Unit to determine when empty gates can be cleaned. Meanwhile, the Airport Duty Manager works with NAV CANADA, which operates air traffic control, on when specific runways can be cleared. "You've got to make that runway available for a 15-minute window," says Mitchell. "You can't run a sweeper behind an airplane while it's taking off or landing."
