Airports that receive funding from, and are operated by, the FAA require ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) operations and services. These airports have dedicated, trained, aircraft rescue firefighters, that specialize in aircraft incidents. These will be the first responders to any aircraft incident.
What about private airports, fly-in communities, or aircraft maintenance facilities? Dedicated ARFF protection is not required. Emergency response to an aircraft incident or to a structure fire on airport property will have to come from the municipal, primarily structural, fire department.
What does this mean? What should be expected in airport facilities? What dangers are associated with aircraft? How can an effective response be carried out? What questions do we not know to ask?
