Aircraft Rescue and Fire

Fighting
6th Edition
Chapter 4 Safety and Aircraft
Hazards
Learning Objective 1

Identify components of an airport

safety program.

41
Each airport authority should
implement a Safety Management
System (SMS).

Take action to
Identify local
reduce or eliminate

Risks Hazards

Sickness,
Hazards injury, or
death

Damage

42
A risk/benefit matrix helps determine
to what extent responders should be
exposed.
IFSTA Principles of Risk Management

Activities that present a significant risk to the safety

of members shall be limited to situations where
there is a potential to save endangered lives
Activities that are routinely employed to protect
property shall be recognized as inherent risks to the
safety of members, and actions shall be taken to
reduce or avoid these risks
No risk to the safety of members shall be
acceptable when there is no possibility to save lives
or property

43
REVIEW QUESTION

What is the purpose of a Safety

Management System (SMS) or risk
management program?

44
Learning Objective 2

Recognize the importance of

firefighter safety as it relates to
aircraft fire fighting.

45
All personnel are responsible for
creating a safety culture at the
station as well as on scene.

Tool and
Safety Data Sheets Proper lifting
equipment safety
(SDS) techniques
rules

46
Vehicle safety is vital to emergency
response and scene management.

All personnel and

Riding in ARFF
equipment must be
apparatus
secure

Situational
Must balance speed with
awareness on
caution
the airfield

47
The most common method of
organizing an ARFF incident is to
establish three operating zones.

48
A personnel accountability systems
identifies and tracks all personnel
working at an incident.

Personnel All personnel must be familiar

with it
accountability Standardized and used at all
system incidents

All incidents involving an IDLH

Two-in/two- environment
out rule Only two exceptions

49
Personnel decontamination is always
necessary at a crash site.

Courtesy of Brian Canady/DFW-FRD

410
All personnel should be monitored
for signs of PTSD.

411
REVIEW QUESTION

What is the importance of a

personnel accountability system?

412
Learning Objective 3

Describe the various types of

personal protective equipment with
which ARFF firefighters are
equipped.

413
WARNING

Firefighters must properly wear PPE and

SCBA during all aircraft fire fighting,
rescue, and overhaul operations.

414
Normal work uniforms are not
intended to be used by themselves
as protective clothing.

415
Full structural PPE and SCBA properly
protect a firefighter from all but the
most extreme conditions.

Courtesy of Rosenbauer America

416
Proximity protective clothing is
designed for close proximity exposure
to high radiant heat.

Courtesy of Brian Canady/DFW-FRD

417
Firefighters must understand what
substances will require specialized
chemical protective clothing.

418
Self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) must be worn at all aircraft fires.

419
PASS devices, and hearing and eye
protection should also be worn.

Courtesy of James Nilo

420
REVIEW QUESTION

How do fire conditions affect the

type of PPE ARFF firefighters wear?

421
Learning Objective 4

Discuss the different types of

hazards associated with aircraft
emergencies.

422
All aircraft accidents should be
considered and treated as potential
hazardous material incidents.

Fuel/hydraulic fluids

Biohazards

Toxic chemicals

Toxic smoke from burning material

Composite structural material

Agricultural spraying operations

Presence of hazardous cargo

423
All personnel should monitor
hazardous conditions and act to
protect responders and victims.

Courtesy of James Nilo

Wreckage
Confined Space
Heat Stress

424
Aircraft fuel is the primary hazard to
firefighters.

AVGAS

Jet fuels

Kerosene and
blended fuels

Biofuels

425
WARNING

ARFF personnel should avoid inhaling

jet fuel vapors and smoke. Jet fuels are
known carcinogens and can cause
chemical pneumonia.

426
Fuel can be delivered to aircraft in
one of two ways.

Fuel tank
truck Underground
piping systems

427
Static charges between aircraft and
fueling vehicles can ignite vapors.

Conductive Anti-static fuel

bonding additives

428
Fires inside aircraft frequently involve
ordinary combustible materials.

Carry-on Electrical
Carpeting
materials insulation

Paneling Refuse Upholstery

429
WARNING

ARFF personnel should avoid contact

with exposed electrical wires. Transport
aircraft usually have 115-volt AC
electrical systems and 24- or 28-volt DC
electrical systems which pose an
electrocution hazard.

430
Other aircraft components and
materials can present unique hazards.

Landing gear

Hydraulic and pneumatic lines

Oxygen systems

Composite fibers

Biohazards

Pitot tubes

Air bags

431
WARNING

Pressures in excess of 3,000 psi (21 000

kPa) generate enough energy to sever
body parts or cause fatal injury. ARFF
personnel should stay clear of ALL
moving parts when working around an
aircraft.

432
The propellers of reciprocating
engines produce significant hazards.

433
WARNING

Even if a propeller has stopped, do not

move it under any conditions. Piston
engines that have recently stopped can
sometimes cycle, rotate violently, or
restart if the propeller is moved.

434
Jet engines pose numerous hazards
including exhaust, intake suction, and
the engine itself.

(Cont.)

435
CAUTION

After an accident, a jet engine may

continue to run if fuel is still being supplied
to it. Even after shutdown, jet engines
retain sufficient heat to ignite spilled
flammable materials for up to 20 minutes.
Also, the rotation of the engine may draw
in vapors from spilled fuel and ignite them.
When possible, cordon off the area around
the engine, establish a safety zone, and
keep all personnel clear of this area.
436
NOTE

The red beacons on the top and bottom

of the aircraft will be lit when the
engines are running. Smaller aircraft
may have one beacon on top of the
vertical stabilizer.

437
Some aircraft are equipped with air
driven generators (ADG) or ram air
turbines (RAT).

Provide backup electrical and

hydraulic power

Often deploy forcefully

Know which aircraft are equipped

and where devices are located

438
Aircraft wheel assemblies and
components may disintegrate
explosively.

439
Helicopters and their rotors must be
approached with caution.

(Cont.)

440
WARNING

The debris rendered airborne by the

helicopter rotors can cause bodily harm.
When around helicopters with running
engines, firefighters should wear
appropriate PPE to include helmet, eye
and hearing protection, coat or jacket,
and bright colored or reflective clothes.

441
Helicopters and their rotors must be
approached with caution.

442
Ballistic recovery system can present
extreme hazard to ARFF personnel.

443
WARNING

Ballistic recovery parachutes can be

fired vertically or horizontally and are
not always readily visible on the aircraft
or location from where they are fired.
Do not use ordinary bolt cutters or side
cutters to cut the cable housing. These
tools are not effective for cutting the
cable housing.

444
 Aircraft cargo may be classified as
hazardous or dangerous.

Be aware that
All types of aircraft
hazardous cargo may
may be carrying
not have the
hazardous cargo
appropriate paperwork

Courtesy of John Demyan, LVI Airport

445
NFPA 472 lists nine classes of
dangerous goods.

446
CAUTION

Use caution when attempting a rescue

through the forward area of cargo-
carrying aircraft because of the areas
close proximity to any hazardous cargo.

447
NOTE

Certain substances may be shipped only

on cargo aircraft and not on passenger
aircraft. A package labeled CARGO
AIRCRAFT ONLY or DO NOT LOAD ON
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT found aboard
an aircraft should alert ARFF personnel
that the material is extremely
hazardous.

448
Dangerous cargo can be identified in
a variety of ways.

Package markings

Labels

UN/NA number

Container type

SDS or shipping papers

Name of shipper, receiver,

and/or carrier
449
Verification and information gathering
are crucial for PPE selection and
mitigation planning.

Verification Information
Use multiple sources Gathering
Avoid critical errors Determine hazards
Select PPE
Devise mitigation plan

450
The type of PPE used at dangerous
goods emergencies depends upon
certain factors.

Selected
using
SOPs/SOGs
PPE
selection
Based on
Nature of the
incident
Resources
available

451
Units responding to dangerous goods
incidents must isolate the scene and
deny entry.

Secure the
area

Establish
control zones

Exclude
nonessential
personnel

452
Aircraft lavatory waste spills are a
biohazard.

Spills should be
May range from
vacuumed or
twenty to several
recovered with
hundred gallons
absorbents

Appropriate airport or
air carrier personnel
should properly
dispose of the waste

453
Agricultural chemical can be applied
by fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft.

Application method creates

potential for accidents

Crash site may be difficult

Courtesy of Paul Pestel

to reach

Usually no indication of
what is being carried

Pilot and site will probably

be contaminated

454
REVIEW QUESTION

What hazards are associated with

aircraft cargo?

455
Learning Objective 5

Identify special hazards of military

aircraft.

456
Even short hydrazine exposure is
extremely dangerous.

Hypergolic
fuels

Ignite spontaneously on Inhalation, ingestion,

contact with each other absorption hazards

457
WARNING

Always wear full protective clothing to

include SCBA when dealing with
hydrazine emergencies as it may be
absorbed through the skin. Even short
exposures may have serious effects on
the nervous and respiratory systems.

458
Both chaff and flares pose serious

Courtesy of LCPL Andrew Williams (USMC),

Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC)
hazards to ARFF personnel.

459
Pyrotechnics may be found in
different locations on many aircraft.

Multiple hazards
Produce Difficult to Burn very hot
blinding white extinguish may ignite
light when contain their surrounding
ignited own oxidizers combustibles

460
Other special hazards associated with
military aircraft include the following.

Jet Assisted Take-Off (JATO) System

Increased Fuel Capacity

Composite Wings and Body

461
Accidental activation of ejection
systems is extremely hazardous.

Ejection
seats
May be
rocket or
gas powered

Must learn
to properly
secure

462
WARNING

Ejection system rockets can reach

temperatures of 25,000F (14 000C).
The exhaust of these rockets can cause
severe burns or ignite surrounding
materials.

463
WARNING

Safetying an ejection system is a

hazardous operation. Rescue personnel
should not attempt to safety an ejection
system if they do not have the proper
training and equipment necessary for
the specific model of aircraft.

464
Canopies or hatches should be
jettisoned only if absolutely necessary.

465
CAUTION

Jettisoning the canopy may ignite fuel

vapors. When jettisoning the canopy,
follow the directions that are printed on
the side of the aircraft.

466
Propellant actuating devices contain
explosive charges.

Propellant actuating
devices
Canopy removers
Initiators
Rotary actuators
Thrusters
Explosive squibs
Seat catapults
Courtesy of SSgt Bennie J. Davis III (USAF),
Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC)

467
NOTE

During high-impact crashes and total

breakup of military aircraft, all the
dangerous components discussed may
by scattered throughout the impact area
or crash path.

468
Other emergency systems contain
hazards for ARFF personnel.

Fire protection/
Emergency Emergency
detection
power unit doors/hatches
systems

Will
automatically Halon or
Locations vary
start if not nitrogen
safetied

Require
Hydrazine- Protect engines familiarity with
powered aircraft

Produce toxic Activated by

exhaust T-handles in
cockpit

469
WARNING

ARFF apparatus should NOT be driven

or parked in front of a fighter aircraft
during an incident or crash.

470
Weapons and weapon systems
should be considered armed until
proven otherwise.

Primary effort must be directed toward

Quick knockdown of fire

Cooling munitions

May detonate quickly when involved

with fire

Make every effort to extinguish/control

fire before weapons become involved

471
WARNING

Do not attempt to fight a fire in which a

weapon is involved if it is not possible to
extinguish the fire quickly. All
firefighters should withdraw at least
2,000 feet (600 m) because of the
likelihood of detonation. If a rescue is in
progress, continue to apply water (not
foam) in copious amounts until the
rescue is complete.
472
A military explosive ordnance disposal
(EOD) team must deal with explosives.

Pressed high
explosives
High explosives
(HE)
Cast high
explosives

473
Do not position personnel or apparatus
in the line of fire of munitions.

474
WARNING

Military ammunition rounds are fired

electrically. Ammunition found laying at
the site of a crash can be fired by the
static charge of picking up the round
and should not be handled except by
EOD personnel. ARFF responders should
contact military EOD for material
removal.

475
Military aircraft may also other
weapons and weapons systems.

Rockets and missiles

Gravity bombs

Nuclear weapons

476
REVIEW QUESTION

What specific hazards to military

aircraft create for ARFF personnel?

477
Learning Objective 6

Identify indications of a possible

terrorist incident.

478
 Airports are prime targets for
terrorist attacks.

CBRNE

Radiological
Chemical Biological Explosive/WMD
or Nuclear

479
ARFF personnel must know possible
indications of terrorist attacks.

Explosions that
Disperse liquids, mists, vapors, or gas
Only destroy a package
Unscheduled and unusual dissemination of aerosol sprays

Abandoned spray devices

Unexplained odors

Mass casualties without obvious cause or trauma

Pattern of casualties or symptoms and common symptoms

(Cont.)
Civilian panic in high-profile target areas

480
ARFF personnel must know possible
indications of terrorist attacks.

Signs and symptoms of nuclear and biological agents

appear hours to days after incident

Emergency Response Guidebook can provide information to

assist

Chemical agents are characterized by a rapid onset of

symptoms

Personnel should provide a detailed report on conditions

found

Should use procedures similar to haz mat incident

481
Follow preset procedures for
terrorist incidents.

Perform
Establish a
Position emergency
perimeter
decon

Contaminated
Upwind and or potentially
Isolate
uphill contaminated
victims

At a safe
Deny entry
distance

482
REVIEW QUESTION

What are some indications of a

possible terrorist incident?

483
Summary

To be able to perform their jobs safely,

airport firefighters should be trained in
the types and uses of personal
protective equipment including self-
contained breathing apparatus,
personal alert safety systems, and
other types of personal protective
clothing and equipment. (Cont.)

484
Summary

They should be thoroughly familiar

with firefighter safety while at the fire
station, responding to, and at the
scene of an emergency.
ARFF personnel should anticipate the
need to protect mutual aid firefighters
that automatically respond to an
accident or alert at the airport. (Cont.)

485
Summary

ARFF personnel should be well versed

in the general hazards associated with
ARFF and the specific hazards aircraft
pose to the airport firefighters including
the dangers posed by aircraft systems,
materials, and cargo.

(Cont.)

486
Summary

ARFF personnel should have working

knowledge of military aircraft hazards.
Finally, airport firefighters should be
able to identify and respond to terrorist
incidents.

487