Federal Employee Spotlight: Rick Munoz and Nick Yardich

(Federal Workers)

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake struck Haiti and ravaged the nation, leaving thousands dead and wounded and destroying buildings and infrastructure. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince was not spared as the earthquake caused damage throughout the area and the collapse of the airport’s control tower. Although the main airport appeared operable, there was great concern that the condition of the air traffic control tower would impede the ability to bring supplies and relief to the devastated nation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assumed control of the main airport and worked to bring in a mobile tower to assist the struggling country.

As part of the FAA’s efforts, employees from Technical Operations were dispatched to the country to provide assistance and ensure maintenance of the mobile air traffic control tower. Two members of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS)—Rick Munoz, and Nick Yardich—made up one of the groups that traveled to Haiti on two-week rotations. PASS represents approximately 11,000 FAA employees in five separate bargaining units throughout the United States and in several foreign locations. Munoz is an airways transportation systems specialist who works in the areas of radar, navigation/communications, environmental and automation. He works at the system support center (SSC) in Lubbock, Tex., and maintains equipment that provides services to the Albuquerque Air Traffic Control Center and the Dallas-Fort Worth Air Traffic Control Center. Yardich is also an airways transportation systems specialist in Florida and has supported the Palm Beach Air Traffic Control Tower for 27 years. His responsibilities include maintenance and certification of air traffic control systems associated with the Palm Beach Tower and enroute systems belonging to the Miami Air Traffic Control Center.

The pairing of two technicians with communications and environmental specialties was the standard for the FAA rotations in Haiti. The technicians lived in converted shipping containers and worked tirelessly alongside members of the military to provide the best level of support to the nation. “At the beginning and end of our rotation, we were there with members of the Miami Technical Support Office and we were busy constantly,” explained Yardich. “It was up at 5:30 a.m. and shutdown at 11:00 p.m. Everyone brought their A game. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by people who had such motivation and drive—there wasn’t a slacker in the bunch.”

“We had to deal with the Air Force and Army personnel for some things but we worked things out on our own, too,” said Munoz. “Before we got there, there were tents but the rain flooded the tent area so we took the shipping containers, added some cots and made our own shelter. You are there to help people. You’ve got to overcome.”

“We got our shelter put together and actually had electricity and Wi-Fi. Since we were surrounded by military, we were kind of like the rogue unit and they were concerned about our security and comfort level,” added Yardich. “But once they saw what we had put together, I think they were impressed.” The pair also shared duties around the shelter, with Munoz cooking and Yardich responsible for cleanup. “Ricky could really cook! I did the dishes—we made a good team.”

When discussing the experience with both men, they cannot emphasize enough their high opinions of the Haitian people. They described incredible acts of consideration and gratefulness. “I was floored by the amount of courtesy,” said Yardich. “The biggest surprise was how wonderful the Haitian people were. In one case, I arrived at a shipping center where there were 30 or so Haitians in line in front of me. They all insisted I go ahead of them. They knew we were there to help them. I felt as if I got in a car crash and was knocked unconscious, they would pick me up and carry me to the hospital. That’s how much love I felt there.”

Munoz, who served for two two-week rotations, described similar interactions with the nation’s inhabitants. “One guy bought a long-distance telephone card at a store and forgot to take it with him. He was convinced that it was gone but, when he went back to the store a few days later, the lady working there had held the card for him. She had been waiting for him to come back. They are some of the most honest people I’ve ever met.”

Traveling to Haiti required a great deal of hard work, but neither PASS member would trade the experience. PASS National President Tom Brantley also went to Haiti with the FAA to observe the mobile air traffic control tower and the FAA’s efforts in the region. “Clearly, a lot of work has been done in the area by FAA employees and members of the military,” he said. “I am very proud that two PASS members played such active roles in providing relief to Haiti. Rick and Nick should be commended for their dedication and selfless efforts.”

However, it seems that one of the hardest things for Munoz and Yardich was leaving Haiti. “The people there were incredible,” said Munoz. “Everything was destroyed but they were starting to put it together a little bit. They didn’t want me to leave, and it was difficult to go. I was happy to be able to help. I know it’s a poor country and they are suffering. Being there and helping at the airport was the least I could do.”

“It was a life-changing trip,” said Yardich. “I fought to be a part of the effort because I needed to do something. And then I hated to leave because I felt such a connection. Flying out of there was quite an emotional experience for me—pulling out of Port-au-Prince and looking down at that devastation and knowing that I was going to a place where I could just drive into a McDonald’s and get a hamburger. In the seat next to me, there was a five-year-old boy with his aunt. He had actually climbed out of the rubble and now his aunt was bringing him to the United States. The experience of seeing this boy leave his home and become an American was humbling. The 17 days I spent there has made a huge difference in my life.”