Aviation Firefighters

Aviation firefighters differ from other firefighting services in that they can train their entire careers for an event that may never happen. However, if a crash does occur it is likely to be perhaps the most intense situation a firefighter can face. If the planned A380-1000 comes into service, the airport fire service could be faced with over 1000 passengers being trapped inside an 80 meter long aircraft.

The Airport Fire Service may be required to respond to medical emergencies in the airport terminal or aircraft and provide care until an ambulance arrives. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has declared that an airport must provide an ambulance of its own if there is not one within 15 minutes of the airport. Many larger airports have 999 emergency ambulances situated on the airport grounds.

The Airport Fire Service can also be required to turn out to fire alarms that actuate in the terminal buildings, to Road Traffic Accidents that occur on the airport grounds and to any other incident that may require their skills. The primary job of the Airport Fire Service is the protection of aircraft, however, so these duties may not interfere with the level of cover provided. Often, the Airport Fire Service will respond to an incident and shall then return to the station once the Local Authority Fire Service has arrived.