Firefighters and residents urge commission to block privatization of Valley International Airport firefighting services after FAA findings

City firefighters and residents urged the Harlingen City Commission to oppose any attempt to privatize aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services at Valley International Airport and to demand accountability after an FAA inspection.

Evan Mann, president of the Harlingen Professional Firefighters Association, told the commission the union has provided legal counsel and believes privatizing ARFF would be illegal. Mann said the FAA’s review — self‑reported by airport administration — found a documentation discrepancy but concluded the issue was isolated and not systemic; he said the Harlingen ARFF program has earned perfect FAA inspection scores for five consecutive years.

Resident Dawn Ray Leonard told the commission she considers the airport “the jewel of Harlingen” and urged accountability after the FAA cited the fire department for violations related to training-record documentation. She said the FAA had threatened possible airport closure and that the Cameron County district attorney was reviewing the FAA report.

The firefighters’ union delivered a demand letter to the city attorney (as the union reported) and warned that if the airport board votes to contract out firefighting services and the city council fails to intervene, the union would “pursue all legal avenues, including filing suit against the city.” Mann said the union prefers not to litigate but will do so if necessary.

What commissioners and staff heard: speakers asked for transparency about the FAA findings and for the airport board to adopt a resolution. Residents called for accountability, possible managerial action and oversight by named committees.

What the meeting did not decide: there was no formal vote on airport contract changes during the meeting. The matter was raised in citizen comments and remains before the airport board and city legal staff.