Aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) is a necessary skill for any fire department that is near an airport or along a flight path. This course discusses aircraft forcible entry, firefighting with the high reach extendible turret (HRET), and cargo aircraft firefighting. NFPA Standards: 440, 460, 1900.

Aircraft are a prolific part of modern life – aiding in agriculture, transportation, military strategy, and rescue. However, accidents occur every day, and fire personnel need to be prepared to rescue occupants and manage the damage. Many aircraft inherently carry hazards dependent on their type and flight usage. Be aware of these hazards when approaching your tasks on the next small aircraft accident.

Airport rescue and firefighting services can differ significantly in terms of staffing, equipment, vehicles, operating procedures, airport size, emergency activities, and the types of aircraft they serve. Throughout this course, we will review the knowledge first responders should have when responding to aircraft or airport fires, including but not limited to the layout of the airport, the type and size of aircraft at the airport, different fire extinguishing agents, evacuation protocols, and how to read and navigate additional resources like an Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). The information in this course aligns with 14 CFR Section 139, AC 150/5210-17, NFPA 440, NFPA 460, and NFPA 1900. Procedures at your facility may not align with all the information presented in this course, so be sure to follow your local protocol.

Aircraft accidents pose unique challenges to municipal firefighters who may not have been specifically trained in aircraft rescue and firefighting techniques. Departments near an airport may be called on for aircraft-related incidents and should seek to train for a safe and effective response. In this course, we will discuss regulations, aviation specifics for response, extinguishing aircraft fires, search and rescue operations, hazmat mitigation, and scene preservation.