Aircraft Rescue and Fire

Fighting
6th Edition
Chapter 2 Airport Familiarization
Learning Objective 1

Describe airport familiarization

training.

22
Airport firefighters must be familiar
with both the airport and the
immediately surrounding area.

23
REVIEW QUESTION

Why is it necessary for ARFF

personnel to be familiar with all parts
of the airport and surrounding area?

24
Learning Objective 2

Explain different airport types and

classifications.

25
There are two basic types of
airports.

26
Airports are classified by various
agencies in order to determine the
level of fire protection needed.

27
REVIEW QUESTION

What is the difference between

controlled and uncontrolled airports?

28
Learning Objective 3

Compare the different legs of a

typical traffic pattern.

29
All aircraft must enter the airport via a
traffic pattern, unless otherwise
directed by air traffic control.

210
REVIEW QUESTION

When might aircraft use a straight-in

approach rather than a typical traffic
pattern?

211
Learning Objective 4

Recognize systems used to

designate runways and taxiways.

212
Runways are distinguished by
numbers and letters.

213
 Runways will also have safety areas
surrounding it.

250 ft (75 m)

1000-2000 ft 150 ft (45 m)

(300-600 m)

1000-2000 ft
(300-600 m)

250 ft (75 m)

214
Taxiways are specially designated
roadways for aircraft surface
movement.

215
REVIEW QUESTION

What method is used to number

airport runways?

216
Learning Objective 5

Identify airport markings, lighting,

and signage.

217
Runway and taxiway surface lighting is
standard at airports.

Blue
White
Green
Yellow
Red

218
Markings of different sizes and shapes
are also used at airports.

219
Different colored markings are also
used at airports.

220
Red and white lines designate an
envelope.

221
Zipper markings indicate an aircraft
maneuvering area.

(Cont.)

222
Mandatory instruction signs provide
instructions that must be obeyed.

223
 Runway hold positions signs indicate
stop ahead.

White on
red stop
ahead

224
Location signs identify runways,
taxiways, and other specific airport
locations.

Yellow on black tell where youre at

225
Direction signs identify the direction of
taxiways leading out from an
intersection.

Black on yellow tell a fellow

226
Destination signs indicate destinations
around the airport.

227
Other signs on the runway provide
information to pilots.

228
WARNING

Understand that aircraft ALWAYS have

the right-of-way, unless directed
otherwise by Air Traffic Control Tower
personnel. ARFF apparatus drivers
failing to understand or obey airport
ground lighting, markings, or signs can
lead to accidents as well as runway
incursions.

229
REVIEW QUESTION

What types of signage might an

airport firefighter encounter on the
airport?

230
Learning Objective 6

Determine the impact of airport

design on ARFF responses.

231
The segmented circle is an airport
marker system often located in the
center of the airport.

232
ARFF personnel and airport support
personnel use grid maps to identify
ground locations.

233
The RRA and CRFAA should be
identified on the grid map.

234
ARFF personnel must be familiar with
the topography of the airport and its
immediate surrounding area.

235
 Airport terminals hold several areas of
concern for emergency responders.

Life Safety

Courtesy of James Nilo

Baggage
Handling and
Storage Areas

236
Aircraft maintenance facilities can
hold a variety of hazards.

237
Some runways are equipped with an
Emergency Material Arresting System
(EMAS).

Courtesy of Greenville Airport Commission

238
Taxiways provide a link between
different parts of the airport.

239
ARFF personnel should use caution
around run-up areas.

240
Safety areas are an integral part of
the runway system.

241
 ARFF personnel should be able to
identify navigation aids and know their
locations on the airport.

242
WARNING

Several navigation aids pose an

electrical hazard to firefighters. The
airfield lighting system and navigational
aids operate on high-voltage electrical
systems. Firefighters should avoid
contact with these devices.

243
Roads and bridges on and off the airport
must be able to support ARFF apparatus.

244
Airport ramps/aprons tend to be the
most congested areas of an airport.

245
WARNING

NEVER drive a motor vehicle under a

wing of an aircraft, regardless of the
size of the vehicle or the airplane!

246
Be on the lookout for foreign object
debris (FOD) on airport driving surfaces.

247
Controlled access points eliminate
unnecessary or unauthorized traffic.

248
Fences and gates pose a barrier to
ARFF personnel using other-than-
normal exit points.

249
The isolation area is a predetermined
area designed for temporary parking of
aircraft.

250
Fixed systems and mobile supplies of
water are available for airport fire
protection.

251
Fueling operations are a constant
hazard.

Courtesy of William D Stewart

252
The most common method of
aircraft fuel delivery is tank trucks.

Courtesy of Edwin A. Jones

253
Fuel vapors have numerous ignition
sources.

254
Fire extinguishers must be of
appropriate size and type, and must
be readily accessible.

255
The airport drainage system is
designed to control the flow of
spilled fuel.

256
REVIEW QUESTION

How does the design and layout of

an airport impact day-to-day airport
fire fighting operations?

257
Learning Objective 7

Explain the importance of a central

location for airport fire stations.

258
Airport fire stations are strategically
and centrally located.

259
REVIEW QUESTION

What is the purpose of an airport

fire station observation tower?

260
Summary

In order to perform their jobs safely and

efficiently, airport firefighters must be
thoroughly familiar with the airport itself.
Airport firefighters must understand the
type and classification of airport they
work at to better understand the aircraft
rescue and fire fighting requirements
needed by that airport. (Cont.)

261
Summary

Familiarity with the airport saves in

response time and may save lives,
while protecting the safety of the
responders.

262