Makeover at 1404 Main Street

On Tuesday July 22, NFTA Chief of Police George Gast presented certificates of appreciation to maintenance employees John Ritzenthaler, Michael Mingo, Jerzy Galazka, Rafael Marquez, Ernie Desimone and Michael Buxton (not pictured) for their collective assistance in completing the recent “facelift” to the transit police headquarters located at 1404 Main Street.

BNIA Fire Chief and Habitat for Humanity

In early July, Ed McDonald, Chief of the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Unit at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, as part of his involvement with Habitat for Humanity traveled with his team of 17 volunteers to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to build homes for victims effected by the recent tornados that have destroyed the area. 

Go big

Antonov 124 at NFIA. Click for more photos.

An Antonov 124, one of the largest planes in the world landed at the Niagara Falls International Airport July 17. The plane has a wingspan of 240 feet and its unloaded weight is 385,000 pounds. Its mission was to pick up an 114,000 pound generator and transport it to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Bob Stone, NFIA Manager was on hand to extend best wishes for a safe journey to some of the 16 members of the crew just prior to departure. At 9,829 feet in length, the NFIA's main runway can accommodate the largest planes from anywhere in the world.

BNIA Plays Role in National Disaster Drill

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Saturday, July 12 seemed like a normal summer day at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to the casual observer. But that was not the case as the airport’s Crash Fire Rescue Unit along with members of the NFTA Police department was part of a national disaster drill being played out behind the scene at the BNIA.

Take me out to the ball game...

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Thursday, July 10, the NFTA held its second annual Family Night at Coca-Cola Field! A combined 80 individuals made up of employees, family and friends came out on a beautiful 75 degree evening to see the Buffalo Bisons play the Durham Bulls.  The night got off to a great start with two “first” pitches thrown by Metro bus operator and local hero, Darnell Barton, and Nick Kurtz, the newest member of the Human Resources Department.  Although both men did very well, it was their individual pre-throw grandstanding that was the highlight for their fellow NFTA fans! 

Later on in the evening Mary Padasak from the NFTA’s Health/Safety Department and Louis Manolis of Central Files enthusiastically went head-to-head in a Jumbotron trivia contest with the winner (Louis) receiving a Bisons T-shirt.  About her involvement Mary said, “What I enjoyed most was being able to take part in a fun-filled event on behalf of the NFTA; winning would have just been secondary.” 
Last but not least on the list of NFTA employee contestants for the evening was Service Planning’s Rachel Maloney.  Rachel participated in Metro’s on field target toss where she adeptly and impressively hit the mark twice!  

Thank you to all of the employees, families and friends who attended the game; next year we hope to have a third annual NFTA Family Night and make it an additional success!

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