First Responders Receive Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training at St. Louis Regional Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

First responders received Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training during an FAA FAAST Team event held April 20 at St. Louis Regional Airport. Airport management worked closely with St. Louis FSDO Program Manager Randy Ottinger and Jason Bruns, Airport Operations Specialist and Assistant Chief for the St. Clair Special Emergency Services Association, to provide essential aircraft accident response training to local first responders serving Part 139 airport operations. Agencies represented include:

St. Louis Regional Airport; St. Louis Downtown Airport; MidAmerica St. Louis Airport; Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport; St. Clair Special Emergency Services Association; O'Fallon, IL Fire Rescue; Alhambra, IL Fire Protection District; and French Village, IL Fire Protection District. 

The morning session included presentations covering ARFF Equipment and Agents, ARFF Operational Requirements and Airport Emergency Plans, among other related topics. Along with the class work was practical training (non-destructive, of course) with aircraft provided by local individuals and flight schools, including a Viper LSA, featuring a ballistic chute, from Piston Aviation, Piper Cherokee from STL Flight Training, Cessna Skylane from the State of Illinois and privately owned Mooney and Cirrus aircraft. First responders were briefed on the operation of the cockpit canopies and entry doors along with the unique structural components, fuel tank location and ballistic parachute systems contained on each type. This training is more essential than ever with the proliferation of more LSA training aircraft in the St. Louis area that feature canopy egress and the use ballistic parachute systems. 

Another special feature of the event was the Mobile ARFF Simulator provided by Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport. The trailered aircraft fuselage, with entry door and removable emergency exit, is an excellent training apparatus for use throughout the region to augment the two salvage aircraft available at that airport. Chris Collins, Mount Vernon Outland Airport Director, was on site to conduct a briefing on how to operate the aircraft cabin exits and where to cut through the interior structure should that be necessary in a rescue scenario. Collins' extensive background in ARFF lent additional credibility to the quality of the training provided. 

The Aero Experience thanks St. Louis Regional Airport management, the St. Louis FAA FSDO and all of the instructors and participants attending this training event. Contact the St. Louis FSDO and Mount Vernon Outland Airport to request additional ARFF training opportunities in our region.