Learjet 35
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors
A Learjet at FL310 south eastbound requested lower altitude. RADAR called traffic at 11 o'clock and seven miles Westbound at FL300; lower when you're clear. The Learjet responded we can't hold altitude for pressurization; need a descent and turn. RADAR issued heading 090 and descend to FL240; we then coordinated lower with Sector 63. Aircraft issued descent to 15;000 and switched to 133.95.
Aircraft requested lower; I issued traffic. Pilot requested lower again; I re-issued traffic. Pilot then delared an emergency and requested a turn and lower. I issued a turn and lower. Then coordinated lower with the next sector and gave the pilot further descent. If the aircraft would have declared an emergency when they first asked for lower I could have gotten them lower sooner.
Enroute Controller described a potential conflict event when traffic with pressurisation issues started a descent into other IFR traffic; the reporter noting an earlier pilot emergency declaration would have been helpful.