Chapter 1
Embracing the Challenge
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Objectives
• Understand the importance of aircraft rescue
firefighting training
• Understand how all fires and emergencies are
unique, yet alike
• Understand an aircraft accident can happen
anytime or anywhere
• Understand you may be first on scene and, if so,
the initial steps you must take to control an event
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Objectives (con’t.)
• Understand various players’ roles during an
aircraft accident
• Understand the different types of aircraft that
may frequent local airports
• Understand applicable regulations for aircraft
rescue firefighting operations
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Introduction
• Airplane in flight is a symphony of systems and
subsystems
• The larger the aircraft, the more systems it
requires
• Under stressful conditions, these systems
become dangerous to first responders
– Training is essential to protect rescuers in an
aircraft emergency event
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
The Importance of Aircraft Rescue
Firefighting Training (ARFF)
• Disaster-response tactics evolve continually
• Continuing education and training with the latest
information is crucial
• Success of skilled responder depends on:
– Planning
– Study
– Regular training
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
All Fires and Emergencies are Alike,
Yet Unique
• Majority of aircraft accidents contain more
collective and diverse hazards in a concentrated
area than other transportation accidents
• Responders and planners need:
– Fundamental knowledge of aircraft construction
and hazards
– Specialized resources to mitigate dangers
– Fundamental procedures for dealing with aviation
accidents
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
All Fires and Emergencies are Alike,
Yet Unique (con’t.)
• Preplanning for specific incidents or hazardous
occurrences
– Water or other fire-extinguishing agents
– Crash site and specialized personnel
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
Guidelines (SOGs)
– Mass casualty incident (MCI)
– Hazardous materials
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
The Ways in Which Aircraft Accidents
Are Similar to Other Emergencies
• Basic characteristics or phases
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Call for help
Response to provide assistance
Situation assessment
Scene control
Action
Termination
Post-emergency review
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
The Ways in Which Aircraft Accidents
Are Unique
• Airplanes fires are potentially toxic
• Airplanes carry various contents
– Military: explosive weapons, munitions
– Private/Cargo: carry a wide assortment of
commodities
– Commercial/Passenger: people, baggage,
freight, and parcels
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Anytime, Anywhere
• Examples of how the unexpected can occur:
– Large Boeing 767 in Canada
• Plane lost power in both engines
• Emergency landing at an abandoned military
airfield
– Twin-engine DC-9 passenger jet in Georgia
• Hail caused emergency landing on a rural highway
• Plane crashed into a tree and broke apart 81
passengers, 21 survived
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Anytime, Anywhere (con’t.)
• Examples (con’t.):
– 30-passenger commuter plane crashed in a
Georgia field
– F-117 stealth fighter crash at Sequoia National
Park, CA
– Air Force U-2 aircraft crashed in downtown
Oroville, CA
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Case Study
• Two general aviation (private) airplanes collided
over a remote area of Southern California
– First plane fatally crashed into a grove of trees
– Second plane was struck by the first, ripping the
roof off and breaking the control panel
– Plane landed on a dirt airstrip, due to training
and pre-planning from the pilot
– California Highway Patrol Officers were first at the
scene of both crash sites
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Figure 1-1 As a result of frequent training and emergency preplanning, the pilot
of this battered airplane skillfully made a “dead stick” landing on a busy street in a
Midwestern city. Despite the severe damage to the plane, none of the aircraft’s
occupants and none of the people on the ground were injured.
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Who is First on Scene?
• First responders (primary responders) are
normally law enforcement personnel
• 80% of all aircraft accidents occur in the critical
rescue and firefighting access area
– Defined as “the primary response area for airportbased ARFF services”
• 15% of accidents occur in aircraft runway areas
– Community/mutual air fire/emergency response
agencies are most likely to be the primary
responders
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Various Roles at an Aircraft Incident
• First on scene:
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Take command
Perform a thorough site assessment.
Gain control of the scene
Delegate inbound responders (or even
bystanders) to help with plane passengers
– Relocate onlookers and passengers into safe
areas
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Various Roles at an Aircraft Incident
(con’t.)
• Once inbound responders arrive:
– Perform a transfer of command to a qualified
responder via full face-to-face briefing
– Announce the transfer of command over the radio
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Various Roles at an Aircraft Incident
(con’t.)
• If command is retained, provide clear and
concise directions to fellow first responders
– Ensure that the scene is preserved
– Keep unauthorized personnel away from the
accident site
– Keep a log of everyone inside the cordon
– Record events and your actions on paper
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Aircraft That Frequent Your
Local Airport
• Is your agency close to a military airfield, a
commercial airport, or a private airport?
• Study the basic configurations, hazards and
various aircraft using a flight path above your
community
• Prepare for emergencies and maintain a
Standard Operating Procedure or Standard
Operating Guidelines
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Aircraft That Frequent Your
Local Airport (con’t.)
• Reference multiple sources of information
• Learn about all types of aircraft (small, medium,
large) in case of a diversion
• Efficient emergency responders train for:
– Proper fire suppression
– Rescue-extrication
– Incident management
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Setting Standards for ARFF Operations
• ARFF has standards requiring specialized skills
and training
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
– Independent, voluntary, and nonprofit
association
– Goal: reduce loss of lives and property from
aircraft emergencies
– Source of research and education for all
subjects relating to fire and its prevention
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Setting Standards for ARFF Operations
(con’t.)
• NFPA is composed of various committees
including the Aviation Section
– Aviation Section’s Objectives
• Encourage a greater understanding of safety
aspects as applied to aircraft and airport facilities
• Creating an environment of mutual understanding
and cooperation among the many professional
disciplines
• Creating opportunities for leaders to emerge and to
attain recognition by their peers through elective
office
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NFPA Standards
• NFPA 402: Guide for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting
Operations describes operational procedures for both airport and
structural fire departments faced with rescue and fire fighting
responsibilities for non-military aircraft.
• NFPA 403: Standard for ARFF at Airports
– Minimum requirements for ARFF provided at airports
• NFPA 405: Recommended Practice for the Recurring
Proficiency Training of ARFF
– Performance requirements
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NFPA Standards (con’t.)
• NFPA 418: Standard for Heliports
– Minimum requirements for fire protection for
heliports and rooftop hangars
• NFPA 422: Guide for Aircraft Accident/Incident
Response Assessment
– Investigation team assistance for information
gathering and in assessing the effectiveness of
aircraft accident/incident emergency response
services
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
NFPA Standards (con’t.)
• NFPA 424: Guide for Airport/Community
Emergency Planning
– Describes the elements of an airport/community
emergency plan for before, during, and after an
emergency
• NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter
Professional Qualifications
– Identifies the minimum job performance
requirements for firefighters
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NFPA Standards (con’t.)
• NFPA 1003: Standard for Airport Fire Fighter
Professional
– Outlines job performance requirements
– Specifies age, minimum educational, and medical
requirements in accordance with NFPA 1582
• Federal Aviation Administration: FAR Part 139
– Outlines specific knowledge and skills related to
the aviation firefighting environment
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
• Understand aircraft emergencies
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Importance of aircraft rescue firefighting training
Fires and emergencies
Unique properties of aircraft accidents
How aircraft accidents can happen anytime or
anywhere
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary (con’t.)
• Understand aircraft emergencies (con’t.)
– Initial steps you must take to control the event if
you are the first on scene
– Various players’ roles during an aircraft accident
– Different aircraft that may frequent your local
airport(s)
– Regulations for ARFF operations
© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning