1. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
Operations
Chief Jay Shanley
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

2. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ARFF Operations
Staffing Levels
ARFF Index Determination
ARFF Capabilities
ALERT Levels
Planned Response
What to Expect from ARFF Services
In-Flight Medical
Water Rescue Operations
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

3. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ARFF Communications
Video Presentation on DEF
Letter of Agreement w/ Tower
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

4. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Staffing Levels
Vary from Airport to Airport
Minimum--- One FF per Vehicle
Maximum--- Three FF per vehicle
Even Largest Airports only have 5-10 directly assigned to ARFF Duties
Economics drive staffing levels
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

5. ARFF Index Determination
14 CFR determines Index by length of Air Carrier and Average Daily Departures
Index A = Aircraft less than 90 feet
Index B = Aircraft between 90 and 126 feet
Index C = Aircraft between 126 and 159 feet
Index D = Aircraft between 159 and 200 feet
Index E = Aircraft greater then 200 feet
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

6. ARFF Index Determination
Index A = Aircraft less than 90 feet
One Vehicle carrying at least:
500 lbs. Sodium-based dry chemical or
450 lbs. Potassium-based dry chemical and
Water with quantity of foam to make 100 gallons of finished product for simultaneous discharge of dry chemical and AFFF Foam application
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

7. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

8. ARFF Index Determination
Index B = Aircraft between 90 and 126 feet
One or Two vehicles with Dry chemical as in Index A and 1500 gallons Water / Foam
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

9. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

10. ARFF Index Determination
Index C = Aircraft between 126 and 159 feet
Two or Three Vehicles
One with dry chemical as in Index A and 3000 gallons of Water / Foam
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

11. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

12. ARFF Index Determination
Index D = Aircraft between 159 and 200 feet
Three Vehicles
One with dry chemical as in Index A and 4000 gallons of Water / Foam
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

13. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

14. ARFF Index Determination
Index E = Aircraft 200 feet and Longer
Three Vehicles
One with dry chemical as in Index A and 6000 gallons of Water / Foam
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

15. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

16. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ALERT LEVELS
Common terminology Nationwide
Alert 1
Alert 2
Alert 3
Some indicate aircraft size by phonetics
Alert 1-A
Alert 1-B
Alert 1-C
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

17. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ALERT LEVELS
ALERT 1 = Minor malfunctions that Don’t constitute threat to aircraft or passengers
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

18. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ALERT LEVELS
ALERT 1 = Minor malfunctions that Don’t constitute threat to aircraft or passengers
ALERT 2 = Situations if not contained WILL endanger aircraft and passengers
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

19. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

20. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ALERT LEVELS
ALERT 1 = Minor malfunctions that Don’t constitute threat to aircraft or passengers
ALERT 2 = Situations if not contained WILL endanger aircraft and passengers
ALERT 3 = Imminent or actual crash of an aircraft on or near the Airport
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

21. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

22. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Planned Response
Assign duties and responsibilities
Plan for mutual Aid, pre-assign
Plan for evidence preservation
Train routinely to include tabletop and full exercises.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

23. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Planned Response
Response is broken into six different escalating levels in a matrix
Three ALERT levels, 1,2,and 3
Three INDEX levels, A,B and C
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

24. Anticipated Response during an Index A - ALERT 3 Incident
Aircraft less than 90 feet
Passengers level between 1-9
Complete ARFF Response
3 – ALS Rescues Units 2- NON Emergency
1 – Battalion Chief
1 – Engine Company
1 – Tanker
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

25. Anticipated Response during an Index B - ALERT 3 Incident
Aircraft between 90 and 126 feet
Passengers level between
Complete ARFF Response
3 – ALS Rescues Units All Emergency
2 – Battalion Chief
2 – Engine Company
1 – Tanker
1 – Tower Truck
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

26. Anticipated Response during an Index C - ALERT 3 Incident
Aircraft between 126 and 159 feet
Passengers level 50 and above
Complete ARFF Response
3 – ALS Rescues Units All Emergency
2 – Battalion Chief
2 – Engine Company
2 – Tanker
2 – Tower Truck
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

27. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
What to Expect
from ARFF
Rapid, Professional, Courteous
Response to ALL calls for
Assistance.
Don’t Hesitate to activate the
Emergency System.
Ask to activate the DEF and
advise Flight Crew of critical
info helpful to effective
decision making
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

28. What to expect from ARFF
If time permits ARFF will be at Predetermined Standby Locations for each Runway
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

29. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
9L-27R
9C-27C
18-36
9R-27L
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

30. What to expect from ARFF
If time permits ARFF will be at Predetermined Standby Locations for each Runway
If significant problem i.e.: Fire, Smoke expect ARFF truck to meet you Head-On after you have ceased movement.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

31. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

32. What to expect from ARFF
If time permits ARFF will be at Predetermined Standby Locations for each Runway
If significant problem i.e.: Fire, Smoke expect ARFF truck to meet you Head-On after you have ceased movement.
Expect a AFFF Foam Blanket Application
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

33. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

34. What to expect from ARFF
If time permits ARFF will be at Predetermined Standby Locations for each Runway
If significant problem i.e.: Fire, Smoke expect ARFF truck to meet you Head-On after you have ceased movement.
Expect a AFFF Foam Blanket Application
Expect Rescue if Incapacitated
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

35. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

36. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
AFTER RESCUE
Begin triage of victims
Establish Treatment Areas
Arrange for Transportation
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

37. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
TRIAGE
Victim/Patient Sorting
1 minute or less w/patient
Categorize into 4 groups
Minor, Moderate, Severe, Dead
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

38. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
TREATMENT
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
Advanced Skills if available
Some may be at treatment for hours depending on hospital circumstances
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

39. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
TRANSPORT
Ambulance, Helicopter, Bus
Provide Medical Staff for buses too.
Remember Accountability
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

40. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
EVIDENCE
Preserve Evidence as if Crime Scene
Mark and Identify patient locations
Photo-document early-on if capable
Write narratives and critique ASAP
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

41. Medical Emergencies “In Flight”
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

42. Medical “In Flight” Emergencies
Standby at far end of runway or at designated site. Never chase a plane.
Have EMS Transport Unit and Air Stairs on site.
Be prepared to respond to Aircraft on the field, if requested.
If not serious, escort plane to gate.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

43. Medical Emergencies, Info Potentially Received from DEF
What medications are they taking? Alcohol ingested?
Skin appearance? Blue, Pale, Sweating, Dry, Hot
Breathing,Not breathing,
Is CPR in progress????
Is an AED on board?
Your updated ETA?
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

44. Water Rescue Operations
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

45. Water Rescue Operations
In water landings complicate rescue operations.
They add a degree of urgency.
Don’t get caught up in the frenzy.
Fuel on the water may be a hazard
Your Airport Emergency Plan should provide for such events, by establishing response coordination, and communication with water rescue teams.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

46. Water Rescue Operations
It is highly RECCOMMENDED that you practice your plan for an in water landing routinely…………….in FLORIDA Water is everywhere…. Even small planes can crash into backyard pools.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

47. Water Rescue Operations
Most victims will self rescue if capable.
Aquatic rescue is a specialized field.
Adequate training should be completed before embarking on these missions.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

48. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Questions???
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

49. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
Communications
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

50. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
ARFF Communications
Clear, concise communications are essential.
Multiple radios complicate command.
Routine communications still on TOWER Frequency.
Nationwide system (DEF)developed in 1999 to reduce ARFF communication complexities
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

51. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
What is the DEF?
Discrete Emergency Frequency
Alternate frequency for emergencies
ATCT, Flight crew, and ARFF command can initiate.
Designed to assist ARFF in mitigating aircraft emergencies & incidents.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

52. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Use of the D.E.F.
Authorized ONLY by ATCT
Pilot or airport command must request DEF, (AC 150/5210-7c).
ONLY THREE ON FREQUENCY
The Flight Crew
Air Traffic Control Tower
Airport ARFF Command
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

53. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Why do we need a D.E.F.?
Aircraft emergencies are complex in nature. i.e., cargo fire, passenger heart attack.
Main players can concentrate on mission.
Pass on Vital information otherwise limited on busy tower/ground frequencies.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

54. What the ARFF Commander Needs From Pilots
Nature of the emergency.
Aircraft type.
Souls on board (S.O.B).
E.T.A.
Landing runway.
Fuel remaining.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

55. Discrete Emergency Frequency
The pilot determines if an evacuation is necessary.
The ARFF commander needs to know pilot intentions to properly position emergency equipment and personnel for rescue & firefighting operations.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

56. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
The Pilot Is in Command
The pilot is responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew.
We can see where they can’t.
Our information assists them in decision making.
Continuously advise pilot of actions you are taking until emergency is terminated.
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

57. DISCREET EMERGENCY FREQUENCY
VIDEO
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

58. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002

59. Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002
Questions ??
Orlando Sanford Airport ARFF-2002