BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) is pleased to announce that the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility accreditation. This new recognition signifies that FLL has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facilities, under the guidance of GBAC, a division of the worldwide cleaning industry association ISSA.
FLL successfully achieved GBAC STAR status mainly due to the enhanced sanitization initiatives deployed over the past two years to help mitigate the spread of COVID- 19. Several of these preventive programs were hallmarks of the airport's "FLLy Safer, FLLy Smarter, FLLy Better" public confidence campaign launched in June 2020 during the peak of the pandemic. Among the safeguards instituted to combat COVID-19 and restore consumer confidence in air travel included:
• a rigorous deep cleaning regimen of high-touch and high-traffic airport areas
• expanded placement of hand sanitizer units airport-wide
• the installation of plastic safety barriers at check-in counters and gate areas to help with social distancing
To complement the campaign initiatives, FLL also installed ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizing units to clean escalator handrails across its terminals and the Rental Car Center. The BCAD Maintenance Division spearheaded the GBAC STAR accreditation effort with invaluable support from the airport's service provider, Sunshine Cleaning Systems Inc.
"We're thrilled our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 not only helped to bolster the public's trust in the safety of the airport travel experience but also provided the foundation for us to achieve GBAC STAR," said Mark E. Gale, CEO/Director of Aviation. "Altogether, these preventive measures and others have been critical in reinvigorating our airport economy during the pandemic. We're thankful to everyone who played a role in achieving this recognition."
As the cleaning industry's only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses a facility's readiness for biorisk situations. In addition, the program verifies that FLL implements best practices to prepare for, respond to, and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
"GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers, and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments," said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger in a statement. "By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, FLL has received third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely."
To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, FLL was required to demonstrate compliance with the program's 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures.
About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
(FLL)
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Airport generated $37.5 billion
in economic activity annually and nearly 18,000 direct, local
jobs. Currently, FLL is one of the fastest-recovering U.S. airports, with
domestic passenger traffic approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, the
Airport served nearly 28.1 million passengers. FLL is located in Greater
Fort Lauderdale, the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. The Aviation Department,
FLL's operator, is a self-supporting agency of the Broward County Board of
County Commissioners that does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and
capital improvements. The department also operates North Perry Airport, a
general aviation facility for private and charter aircraft operators. Call
954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and
services, follow us on Twitter, like us
on Facebook, or
visit fll.net.
December 6, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Arlene Satchell, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
954-359-6116
asatchell@broward.org