Arff

Abstract

Firefighting is a dangerous and demanding job. More often than not, the heroes that perform these duties are not even thought of until they are needed. Granted, most of the duties involve intense training and standing by waiting for disaster to occur. Funding for these operations is necessary and in the case of the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), it is mandated by the FAA in order for an Airport Authority to operate commercially. The Federal Aviation Administration provides airport operators who endeavor to be publically operated minimal standards to be met in all aspects of operational safety. The fire fighting capabilities of an airport are no different. However, this is not an exact science and using minimum standards might meet the intent of the regulations but also may leave an airport’s operation vulnerable to over extending their capabilities during an incident response.

ARFF Response C-FTBZ

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) operations can be, when activated, intense. Not every aircraft incident is the same but they do share some things in common; fire and people. With the exception of unmanned drones, all aircraft have people on board. All aircraft, with the exceptionally rare occurrence of solar powered, carry some sort of fuel. Whether it be volatile jet fuel used in turbine jet engines or the highly flammable avgas used in piston driven engines, they both pose a significant risk of intense fire when things don’t go as planned. Combine the presence of people with a metal structure that has been disfigured by impact and then dowse the whole configuration with fuel and an ignition source and, well, you got yourself a situation.

Under any other circumstances, the equation above would probably end in disaster. Add a well trained, well equipped ARFF team and the situation becomes a bit more manageable and a bit less likely to be disastrous. Aircraft crashes usually come without warning. They happen fast and with incredible...