ARFF stands for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting.
Had some very good Live Fire ARFF "Hot Drills" last week Friday, July 23, 2010 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA. It's the same fire fighting training I took part in doing last year, and actually one year ago today. I did a blog post on it last year and doing the same this year.
I had and took advantage of a training opportunity when it came up. Seemed there was an open spot on the team and I was able to attend this ARFF training with two great fire fighters Mike and Andy.
Venturing to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport for the live ARFF burns, the training we received was very good hands on training. Despite it being a rainy day. Actually, the rain keep it cooler and that was good when we were all suited up in PPE and SCBA because our bunker gear are very good in keeping the heat out but their very good at keeping heat inside the suit too on very hot & humid days.
Our first training evolution we were on as the ARFF rescue team. The three of us went in with the attack hose line team, with an ARFF vehicle backing us up after initial fire knock down. The attack hose line teams cleared a "rescue path" so rescue team performed rescue & egress of victims. The rescue team laddered the wing, opened the access wing door, made entry and performed rescued in the passenger portion of the simulator, as well as perform shut down of aircraft on the flight deck.
There are two hose line teams, one is for interior attack that goes into the aircraft to fight fire bu also to provide protection for the rescue team and passengers still on board. The second attack line team outside the aircraft is providing protection of keeping any fire away from the established "rescue path," while the ARFF vehicle is providing even more backup protection to the overall fire ground scene.
Everyone doing the training had a chance taking a turn to do rescue, attack hose lines, and ARFF vehicle operations giving everyone a chance at each important position for a fire fighting operation of this size.
Here's a a YouTube taken of one of the ARFF "Hot Drills" that took place that gives a good overview how it all takes place...
All and all it was some very important training and knowledge gained by all who attended. To learn and practice in changing a dangerous fire environment to one that allows fire rescue to be performed is a priceless fire fighting skill to learn. It's a skill you don't want to use but when called to do so, being prepared is the key for any fire fighter. This train succeeded in doing so.
I think and everyone who attended, would agree that the fire fighters of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA. did a fantastic job hosting such a training event this year. Like to send out a special thanks to lead fire fighter Jack for watching all our backs during the fire ground training operations. Also Jack, the tortellini salad, during lunch break, was great as always! : )
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
