Officers, firefighters at Burbank airport fundraise to help unpaid TSA agents

Police officers and firefighters at Hollywood Burbank Airport are raising money for their TSA coworkers impacted by the partial government shutdown.

It’s been a month since agents with the Transportation Security Administration have been paid after the government partially shut down on Feb. 14. The stalemate between Republicans and Democrats comes over a disagreement in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has caused the partial shutdown.

As travelers experience long lines at airports and after more than 300 TSA agents nationwide quit since the shutdown began, local safety entities at Burbank’s airport are looking to offer help to their colleagues.

Using firefighter boots to collect funds from passengers who choose to donate to the cause, firefighters and police officers at the airport are hoping the extra help could benefit agents as they remain unpaid. The money collected from donors will be converted into gas cards to help TSA officers get to work as gas prices continue to rise.

“These people are patriots and great Americans,” said Edward Skvarna, Director of Public Safety and Hollywood Burbank Airport. “To come in for 30 days and work without pay to keep the airline system operating, we can’t put passengers on airplanes if the TSO’s aren’t screening them. So, it’s a huge, it’s a huge debt of gratitude from the airport and the airport community.”

It’s unclear when the partial government shutdown will come to an end.

Friday marks three weeks since DHS funding expired, resulting in a partial shutdown of agencies such as FEMA, the Coast Guard, and TSA. Today, lawmakers voted on the issue, and Democrats blocked funding, saying they still want changes to immigration enforcement efforts. Christian Cazares reports for NBC4 at 4 p.m. on March 5, 2026.