Airport Firefighter Simulator Save Game
Hien Mondesir
NEC and AAAE offer Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training each year at the Pittsburgh International Airport ARFF training facility. Staffed by certified Suppression Level Instructors, the programs prepare responders to serve in an airport fire department.
The ARFF simulator system at PIT is computer-controlled and features a 135-foot diameter propane-fueled burn area with an aircraft fuselage in its center. In addition to fighting fuel spill fires, firefighters are challenged with different emergency types such as: engine fires, wheel brake fires, and interior fires including cabin, flight deck, lavatory, and galley. The aircraft simulator provides a safe and realistic environment for practicing both suppression and rescue operations.
MU FRTI proudly continues to train airport personnel since 2001 when the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) program was created for airports in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Since then it has expanded to over 100 airports with funding provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. Our team consists of International Fire Service Accreditation Congress certified fire service and live-fire instructors and uses commercially designed and built mobile live-fire training props. They are custom built to provide safe and realistic interior and exterior firefighting evolutions and spill fire simulations and provide sufficient fire area to meet the requirements for both Index A and Index B airports. We can train at any location with a 250-by-250-foot concrete or asphalt surface. We come to you!
The Mobile Aircraft Fire Training unit and is designed and constructed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular 150/5220-17, design standards for an aircraft rescue and fire fighting training facility. The firefighter training is conducted as outlined in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-17, Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139.319 and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1003, Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.
Part 139 Live-Fire Training: Meets or exceeds all applicable FAA and NFPA standards and provides safe, realistic training for airports that need to comply with FAA Part 139 training requirements
Triennial full-scale airport exercises: We provide live-fire and smoke during exercises that add realism to training drills. Firefighters will perform suppression and rescue operations exactly how they would during a real incident.
Training can be conducted day or night, on weekdays or weekends throughout the year to meet the needs of your organization. We encourage locations that desire training to coordinate with neighboring organizations and share costs. Airports, fire departments, fire protection districts, medical services and local businesses will all benefit from the training. Areas with multiple airports in need of training but insufficient funding are encouraged to collaborate. Multiple airports sharing funding can create training schedules that will allow each location to host rotating yearly.
ARFF vehicles are an important part of airport safety. If you're unfamiliar with them, or just want a refresher, download this ARFF Vehicle Reference Guide. With this guide, you'll be able to understand how ARFF vehicles work and what they do to help keep airports safe.
ARFF is an acronym for aircraft rescue and firefighting. The history of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) trucks dates back to 1937 by Chief J.K. Schmidt at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida, according to Firehouse Magazine.
"Chief Schmidt modified a 750-GPM Peter Pirsch pumper, by replacing the hose bed with a 250-gallon water tank and using a high-pressure fog nozzle that was used by local citrus farmers. With these changes, Schmidt introduced the first apparatus specifically designed to combat aircraft and fuel fires."
In 1968, the creation of the MB-5 for the U.S. Navy launched Oshkosh into a position of world leadership in the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) industry. Soon after, the MB-1 was introduced as a 1,000-gallon capacity ARFF. With the M-Series, Oshkosh offered a civilian line of ARFF vehicles. Airport fire trucks have continued to evolve to this day.
ARFF vehicles are aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus, and they differ from municipal rescue and firefighting trucks. The reason is airport emergencies present different types of scenarios and require a unique response.
Airport fire trucks carry a larger water tank, capable of holding thousands of gallons. This is because they don't have access to water supplies when locations of emergencies vary and are uncertain. They also have to carry various firefighting agents, such as firefighting foam, dry chemicals, and clean agents, for situations which may stem from aircraft oil spills and electrical fires.
ARFF trucks are used by airport fire departments to provide safety and emergency response and aircraft firefighting needs. These vehicles and their operators standby, ready at any moment for an incoming or outgoing airplane which presents an issue requiring response. Some types of services an airport fire truck may provide are typical of a firefighting department. This can include activities such as fire containment, fire suppression, medical response, passenger and crew extraction, and mutual aid to local departments near the airport.
However, there are services an ARFF truck is called upon to perform which differ from a typical fire department. Those services would include airframe and cargo preservation and maintenance of the incident site for an after-occurrence investigation.
Most ARFF vehicles feature a slanted body with front bumper designed for maneuvering through ditches and rough terrain. Because ARFF vehicles do not need to navigate the confines of a city street, the apparatus is larger than municipal fire trucks. This allows them space to carry more water, necessary gear and equipment, and up to five personnel.
The other difference is these trucks are built for off-road driving. An ARFF apparatus may require the operator to drive over wreckage or reach an aircraft off a paved runway. They have large, wide tires and a long travel suspension which are suited for off-road navigation.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governing body of civil aviation which oversees, regulates, and coordinates airports and airspace operations. However, standards and procedures vary across the globe. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized United Nations agency which coordinates and helps reach a global consensus on international civil aviation standards and recommended practices. These aviation agencies interact with one another to participate in global policy and procedure creation, including the determination of airport index assignments. The ICAO utilizes a numbers-based airport index category system (Category 1 to 10), and the FAA utilizes a letters-based system (Index A to E). Each agency then prescribes the minimum amount of firefighting agent which is required for a particular size airport which are covered under their jurisdiction.
The FAA classifies ARFF trucks by five categories - classes one through five. These classifications segregate vehicles by what types of fire suppression agent and how much of the agents are carried on a vehicle.
Water has been the most popular fire suppressant throughout history and can be useful in fighting class A fires (fires made up of common combustible solids). Water is ineffective at suppressing oil and electrical fires (Class B and C fires) and can actually be dangerous if used on either. Water is also used to be mixed with foam.
There are also various types of dry chemicals made for different purposes. Some of the most popular are ABC chemical and BC chemical. ABC chemical is the most versatile and can be used to suppress all types of fires. Combining dry chemical powder into the water/foam solution is advantageous when dealing with a Class B fire.
Dry chemicals are frequently used in industrial settings, where chemical and electrical fires are at a high risk. Dry chemicals are only used when needed due to the fine particulates which spread easily over a large area and create cleanup challenges.
The demand for safer, more maneuverable, and efficient fire apparatus continues to drive new technologies. Today's municipal and ARFF apparatus continue to evolve into complex, technology-driven vehicles. What technology developments will make the biggest impact on the life-saving functions of fire departments? Consider these three critical factors and the related advancements.
The Oshkosh Striker ARFF has optimized vehicle performance, response flexibility, true pump and roll in any condition, and it offers the Snozzle HRET as an available option. With this apparatus, aircraft rescue and firefighting crews can take on hazards with extreme precision in the most unforgiving conditions.
Known as the most capable ARFF vehicle ever built and custom-engineered to deliver rapid response, the Striker 8x8 reaches 50 mph (80 kph) in less than 20 seconds with fewer emissions while exceeding NFPA, ICAO, and EU standards. The operator-friendly cab is virtually interchangeable with the Striker 4x4 and Striker 6x6 models and offers superior mobility, speed, and precision which maximizes innovation in the runway response industry.
Virtual reality has grown in popularity among many applications and industries as an essential tool for training. Specifically, for emergency first responders, the trend has advanced to a level of realism which allows ARFF teams to simulate real-life situations and learn how to properly use the critical equipment which helps save lives.
With technology innovations emerging faster than ever, it is essential to anticipate the future needs of firefighters, and how the next generation of fire apparatus will meet the demands these brave men and women around the world face each day.
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