As population centers around the country grow, so does the demand for convenient air transportation. Small, rural airports start to attract local air carriers that provide two or three shuttle flights a day to larger urban hubs. Mid-sized airports expand their facilities to serve several growing towns in the surrounding area. And larger airports find themselves swamped trying to handle more flights and larger aircraft.

If your department is responsible for protecting an airport that has experienced an increase in the number of daily passenger flights or in the length of passenger aircraft, you should re-evaluate your aircraft rescue and firefighting needs. You also should be aware that many of the ARFF requirements are changing.

Determining ARFF needs

The requirements for ARFF vehicles depend on the Airport Index, as defined in Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139. (See Airport Index, below left.) The Airport Index is determined by taking the average number of scheduled passenger flights per day over the busiest three months in the preceding 12-month period. For airports that are in the process of starting or expanding passenger service, a projection may be used instead.

If there are five or more scheduled daily flights of passenger aircraft with lengths within one or more of the index ranges, then an airport is assigned the index corresponding to the longest range. For example, if there are five or more scheduled daily flights of passenger aircraft with lengths in the Index A range and five or more in the Index B range, then the airport would be assigned an Index B.

If there are fewer than five scheduled daily flights of aircraft in a particular range, then the airport is assigned one index below the level corresponding to the longest aircraft, but not lower than Index A. For example, if there were five in Index B, two in index C two in Index C, and one in Index D, then the airport would be assigned an Index C (one index below the level corresponding to the longest aircraft).

The Airport Index currently applies to airports handling scheduled flights of aircraft with seating for more than 30 passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering a proposal to revise the Airport Index rating system to include aircraft with seating for 10 or more passengers. If this takes effect, it would require approximately 40 airports in the United States to add ARFF protection.

New ARFF designs

Two of the principal documents defining the design and performance requirements for larger ARFF vehicles currently are under revision and are expected to be released soon.(See Requirements and resources, page 50.) The proposed FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-10C and NFPA 414 will require quicker acceleration and steeper static side-slope capabilities than available with current-generation ARFF vehicles. This means more powerful engines and lower centers of gravity. Several manufacturers recently have introduced new models to meet these requirements.

There also is a trend toward ARFF vehicles being equipped with nozzles on articulating booms. Not only does this give firefighters the flexibility to deliver extinguishing agents up, over and under areas that are hard to reach with bumper or roof turrets, but many of these boom-mounted nozzles have metal-piercing or metal-drilling tips that can penetrate the outer skin of aircraft to extinguish fires in enclosed spaces, such as passenger cabins and baggage compartments.

Another trend is the use of independent vehicle suspension systems that allow ARFF rigs to negotiate uneven, off-road terrain at higher speeds. One ARFF driver at a major airport commented that their new rig could be driven off the paved runway surface at speeds up to 45mph without noticing a difference.

On-board global positioning systems let operators drive under reduced visibility situations, such as fog or heavy smoke. Thermal-imaging cameras on the vehicle and on the boom let firefighters pinpoint flames and hot spots within enclosed spaces.

Help from Uncle Sam

The FAA Airport Improvement Program can provide funds for up to 90% of the cost of ARFF vehicles depending on the size of the airport. The vehicle specifications must conform to the appropriate FAA Advisory Circular to be eligible. (See Requirements and resources.)

Airport Index

The Airport Index applies to all airports served by scheduled air carriers operating aircraft with a seating capacity greater than 30 passengers. The index determines the minimum number of ARFF vehicles required and the minimum types and quantities of extinguishing agents carried by those vehicles.

Airport Index	Aircraft Length	ARFF Vehicles	Extinguishing Agents (combined capacities of all vehicles)
A	less than 90 feet	1	500 lbs. of sodium-based dry chemical, or 450 lbs. of potassium-based dry chemical plus 100 gal. of water/foam
B	90-125 feet	1-2	Index A with 1,500 gal. of water/foam
C	126-158 feet	2-3	Index A with 3,000 gal. of water/foam
D	159-200 feet	3	Index A with 4,000 gal. of water/foam
E	over 200 feet	3	Index A with 6,000 gal. of water/foam

Requirements and resources

FAR Part 139 defines overall standards for airports, including requirements for the minimum number of ARFF vehicles and the quantity and types of extinguishing agents and equipment to be carried. These requirements are based on the Airport Index, which is determined by the length of the passenger-carrying aircraft and the number of scheduled daily passenger flights.

• The FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-10C Guide Specification for Water/Foam Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles defines specific requirements for ARFF trucks and will replace the current -10B specification. The -10C version was circulating in draft form at presstime, but is expected to implement soon.
• FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-19 Guide Specification for Small, Dual Agent Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles defines specific requirements for smaller ARFF vehicles that rely on dual extinguishing agents (also called combined agents) instead of water/foam.
• These and other FAA Advisory Circulars that apply to airport fire and rescue operations may be found on the FAA Web site at <www.faa.gov/arp/150acs.htm> where they may be downloaded at no charge.
• Information about the FAA Airport Improvement Program may be found at <www.faa.gov/arp/500home.htm>.
• The NFPA defines the design and performance requirements for ARFF trucks in NFPA 414, Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles. A new edition of this standard is expected to be implemented soon. The NFPA requirements may vary from the FAA requirements, so departments should consult both.
• Other NFPA standards that apply to airport rescue and firefighting operations include NFPA 202, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Operations, and NFPA 1071, Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications.
• International Civil Aviation Organization requirements also may apply at some airports.
• The Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Working Group is a non-profit organization which provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and education on ARFF-related topics between airport firefighters, municipal fire departments, equipment manufacturers and others. They have over 1,000 members in 32 countries. View their Web site at <www.arffwg.org>.

ARFF manufacturers

Here are a few manufacturers that build ARFF vehicles:

Colet SVD
510-494-5304

Danko Emergency Equipment
800-228-9014,
<www.danko.net>

W.S. Darley & Co.
800-323-0244,
<www.wsdarley.com>

Emergency One
352-237-1122,
<www.e-one.com>

Fire Attacker
800-860-3066,
<www.fireattacker.com>

KME
800-235-3928,
<www.kovatch.com>

Oshkosh Truck Corp.
920-233-9400,
<www.oshkoshtruck.com>

Rosenbauer America
651-408-9604,
<www.rosenbauer.com>

Crash Rescue Equipment Service
972-243-3307,
<www.crashrescue.com>