Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 20, 2021 – The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ STAR™ Facility Accreditation status from the ISSA — the worldwide cleaning industry association — becoming the first airport in Michigan to do so.
As the cleaning industry’s accreditation for outbreak prevention, response and recovery, the GBAC STAR’s process helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. GBAC STAR establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures and systems to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
To achieve accreditation, the Ford Airport demonstrated 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.
Last summer, the Airport launched its Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign in order to keep guests, team members, airline partners and the West Michigan community healthy while flying. In addition to enhanced sanitation protocols, the campaign educated travelers on new precautions and established a number of new safety measures to restore confidence in air travel. Airport officials say this new accreditation is part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are pleased to have been recognized with the ‘gold standard’ for cleaning and sanitation by GBAC,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President and CEO Torrance Richardson. “Our goal is always to provide an ultra-clean facility for our guests, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Achieving this accreditation, which took a full commitment from our entire team, recognizes our charge to provide a safe travel experience.”
Ideal for facilities such as airports, schools, offices, hotels, assisted care facilities, stadiums and other public venues, the accreditation assesses a facility’s preparedness and provides staff with training for biorisk prevention and containment. The program also establishes a framework for communication and awareness best practices.
“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, the Ford Airport will receive third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”
Dedicated to achieving this gold standard for facilities, the Ford Airport will continue implementing stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention throughout its facility. The Airport will be evaluated annually to ensure it continues to meet GBAC STAR standards.
Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org.
About the Ford Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving business and leisure travelers with nonstop and connecting flights on six airlines. The Ford Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. For more information, visit www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @FlyGRFord.
About GBAC, a division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility and service accreditation programs, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.
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