A330
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
I was working Local when told we had an A330 emergency diverting and coming in opposite direction landing [Runway] 34R currently dumping fuel. The TRACON advised they would let me know when to stop departures. I was very busy on Local had about ten departures for [Runway] 16L and was launching them as fast as possible. I had just put another Air Carrier in position when the TRACON hit the stop departure lights. I called Departure and let them know about the aircraft in front of the other Air Carrier that was already departing; then since the other Air Carrier hadn't lined up yet taxied him across [Runway] 16L to hold short of the center to get him off the runway. I think they stopped departures too soon [as]  the A330 was about 30 miles out. The TRACON should have coordinated with me instead of just hitting the stop departure lights. Several aircraft had delays because of the departure(s) cut off. The A330 was too high and had to do a 360 on final; all done on final frequency no coordination was done with me. I think a little heads up would have been nice; further delaying departures. As the A330 was landing; I realized I should have made sure Intersection E was no longer blocked. I did not think he would land that long with calm winds and coming in slow. Long story short he rolled down to E; then requested a doctor meet him at the gate. That was the first time we heard he needed medical assistance. I just thought that he was only a mechanical emergency. Better communication; making sure the intersection wasn't blocked; enough people to have local assist open would have helped but that late at night it was impossible; CIC being busy with a lot of phone calls and working clearance delivery at the same time so he was distracted; better coordination from the TRACON.
Tower Controller described the complexities of handling an emergency aircraft inbound opposite direction to the normal flow of traffic and the coordination/communications difficulties encountered.