Engineer Closes Flood Locks and Gates Early

Daniel Dangtran is not directly involved in patient care at Texas Children's Hospital; however, he played a pivotal role in protecting patients and employees when disaster-level flooding hit the Texas Medical Center.

A second-shift operations manager for the Engineering and Environmental Services Department, Dangtran was on duty June 8 when floodwaters began to threaten Texas Children's. Dangtran, a Texas Children's employee for just four months, made the decision to close flood locks and gates early, keeping rising water out of the hospital's West Tower.

"Everything happened so quickly," Dangtran said. "Within a matter of minutes, water was coming into the basement levels of the Abercrombie Building (shared by Texas Children's and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital). We had to act fast to save the West Tower, which is why we closed the flood locks and gates."

Dangtran also re-established elevator service after auxiliary power failed to operate high-rise elevators in the West Tower. He also acted quickly to ensure stable air pressure in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery.

"We were concerned about facilities, but our top priority was the safety of our patients," Dangtran said. "We didn't want operating and emergency rooms to be affected or put our critically ill patients at risk."

Dangtran and the engineering staff helped Texas Children's convert to generator power when regular power failed. Then, they restored vacuum suction in the West Tower after the vacuum system was compromised by the shift to auxiliary power. By rapidly solving problems, they prevented panic throughout the hospital.

While Texas Children's was in emergency mode, Dangtran was responsible for quickly addressing flood-related facility problems and ensuring that issues directly related to patient care were the top priority.

Dangtran maintained a sense of calm and made important decisions on the spot.

"Daniel did all of this with a smile," said Tim Chafin, assistant vice president for ambulatory services. "He was one of many heroes during this trying time, and we are grateful for his efforts."

Dangtran's contributions were considerable during Tropical Storm Allison, but he refused to take credit. He said many of his teammates reported to work over the weekend and the ones who couldn't come in due to the flooding called to offer input.

"I couldn't have done any of this without teamwork from my staff and other Texas Children's employees," Dangtran said. "Everyone pitched in to provide service to our patients, families and staff."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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