ARFF Solutions

Welcome!

I hope that you find this website useful for ARFF information.

Please e-mail me with any questions or comments. dpierce@arffsolutions.com

Hot ARFF Topics

-FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5200-31C (Airport Emergency Plan) Mandated by 12/31/2010 for Certificated Airports here.

-US Air Flight 1549 Deadstick Landing into Hudson River

After experiencing a double engine failure due to a bird strike 1549 successfully made an off airport water landing that was remarkable. See diagram here.

-Continental Flight 1404 Accident at DIA

1404 just missed the fire station. It is a good thing that there wasn't an aircraft holding on the taxiway. See diagram here.

-See LAX Los Angeles Fire Department Response

On August 5, 2008 Los Angeles City ARFF crews responded to an Alert II when an American B-757 returned to the airport with a reported "smoke in the cabin" emergency. Watch as LAFD ARFF crews position the interior access vehicle (IAV) and assist 188 passengers and 6 crew with aircraft evacuation.

LAFD@LAX 08-06-2008

-Homeland Security- National Response Framework Document

The new National Response Framework (NRF) document is a must read for airport emergency response planners and responders. It is available below (Important ARFF Documents) or through the Homeland Security NRF Resource Center http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/mainindex.htm All of the information on this new website is very informative.

Another new document for airport emergency planning, Framework for Voluntary Preparedness using the NRF is also available below.

-NTSB Recommendations on Philadelphia UPS DC-8 Interior Fire

A07_97_103 A07_104_109 A07_110

-New Advisory Circular (AC) for FAA Funding of ARFF Vehicles

The FAA has updated the AC 150/5220 -10C document into a new document AC 15/5220-10D that will absorb FAA AC 150/5220-19 that is used for the procurement of smaller ARFF vehicles that use commercial chassis. (See below)

-Proposed ARFF Changes to FAR Part 139

I spoke with FAA Deputy Associate Administrator Catherine Lang and FAA Deputy Director for the Office of Airport Safety and Standards James White http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/key_officials/ on the telephone on 5/18/07. The FAA actually returned my call from Washington D.C.!

Mr. White told me on 5/31/07 that the financial analysis for the proposed changes to FAR Part 139 ARFFRWG Final Draft is STILL pending and that this ARFF issue is very controversial. He mentioned that it would be a significant financial impact for airports. He told me that he was expediting the ARAC action to be completed by the end of the year. I am monitoring the minutes from the ARAC executive board meetings. http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/arac/minutes/ I will report on any progress. I would encourage any ARFF professionals to write their federal representative as I have to expedite this matter.

I have received a letter from my Congressman dated July 30, 2007. Letter from Congressman Drier

-FAA ARAC executive board action on the ARFFRWG FAR Part 139 Final Draft is still in a holding pattern pending financial analysis and impact on airports after sitting with the FAA for over two years! Read the letter I received from the FAA. Letter from FAA

Contact FAA ARFF Specialist Marc Tonnacliff for FAA ARFF information at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/offices/aas/aas

-FAA Reauthorization Bill Action Alert by AAAE/ALA

The AAAE ALA has been fighting efforts by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to include new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Standards in the House version of the FAA reauthorization bill that was H.R. 2881 and H.R. 915 and now H.R. 1586.

If enacted into law, the proposal would dramatically increase equipment and staffing requirements for airports around the country. See the ALA Action Alert here.

Here is the link to check the status on H.R. 1586 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1586

Click on "Full Text" and look for "Sec. 311" for the pending ARFF legislation to change FAR Part 139.

The Senate Bill S.1300 didn't fly. It fell short of the needed votes. See letter form Senator Feinstein.

FYI - It is not within the scope of the ARFFWG to take any political stance or action on this bill. As a non-profit organization, the ARFFWG will neither make any attempts to lobby nor influence our politicians regarding this legislation.

-Naha Airport Fire Attack

On 8-20-2007 165 SOB evacuated safely from Air China Flight 120 (B737-800) when fire erupted from fuel spilling from one of the engine pylons after it arrived at the gate.

See the aircraft evacuation and the fire progress before ARFF units arrived on scene shortly after the spilled fuel ignited. Video 1.

See the Naha ARFF units attack the fire. Video 2 Video 3

-Are additional ARFF resources needed for the A380?

- New Chapter 5 in NFPA 414 Standard for ARFF Vehicles - 2007

"Interior Access Vehicle" (IAV) for rapid access to the main decks of commercial aircraft and upper decks of very large commercial and military passenger aircraft (i.e. An-124, An-225, C-5, B747-400, A380) added to the NFPA document.

-New FAR Part 139 compliance at Class I, II, III, and IV airports.

-Increased use of composites on new commercial and general aviation aircraft construction. Beware!

-FAA authorizes mobile fire training for compliance of Part 139 ARFF training.

-New quad-agent ultra high pressure fire suppression system. Is this the ultimate handline fire suppression system? http://www.afctinc.com/

-New Halon replacement agent developed for Eclipse 500. Will it be used for ARFF? - PhostrEx

-New Technology for Aircraft Interior Fire Suppression Here

Aviation Section News

The NFPA Aviation Section seminar at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas June 6 was a great success with about 100 delegates attending. The next Aviation seminar will probably be held in four or five years. Elections were held for the Aviation Section Board of Directors.

The new board now consists of

Chairman Fred Walker

Vice Chairman Jim Doctorman

Secretary Danny Pierce

Directors Nat Addleman

Joe Scheffey

Ray Syms

John O'Sullivan

Important ARFF Documents

FAA FAR Part s121 and 139 Federal Register Final Rule

FAA FAR Part 139

ARFFRWG Final Draft to Update FAR Part 139