National Transportation Safety Board calls for emergency response diagrams for ARFF personnel at airports with cargo operations
Published: 25 March, 2010
As a result of the NTSB investigation into the February 6, 2006, aviation accident (UPS Flt. 1307) at Philadelphia International Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued Safety Recommendation A-07-110. The recommendation called for the industry to band together “to develop and disseminate accurate and complete airplane Emergency Response diagrams for ARFF personnel at airports with cargo operations.”
The Cargo Airline Association (CAA) assembled a meeting of the stakeholders to include: the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Working Group (ARFFWG), the Air Transport Association (ATA), the Independent Pilots Association (IPA), the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), FedEx, and UPS Airlines. On June 9th, 2008, the group met in Memphis TN and developed an Action Plan to address the recommendation. The ARFF Working Group took on the task of developing the template for information required by ARFF during emergency management and tactical operations at cargo aircraft incidents and accidents.
The ARFF Database project was born at Philadelphia International Airport. Chief Paul Flanagan and his team worked to build a Database of all the information they were lacking while working the UPS 1307 incident. From there, the project was handed off to Chief Jim Nilo in Richmond VA, where it was further refined and expanded. Under the direction of Chief David Whitaker at Memphis International Airport, its development continued, becoming the product demonstrated for those present at a meeting with the NTSB in October, 2009.
The ARFF Working Group has adopted this project and plans to make the entire system available to all of its members free of charge. This system relies on a single piece of hardware, either a Mobile Data Terminal or a Laptop computer positioned next to the Incident Commander responding to aircraft accidents or incidents. The operation is simple, allowing access to any specific resource needed for emergency management of an aircraft incident within 3 clicks of a mouse or 3 taps on a touch screen. This Database is not limited to Cargo Aircraft, but instead provides volumes of data on all air carrier aircraft as well. The aircraft resource database alone is a “dream come true” for ARFF Fire Fighters, but it has been enhanced with additional capabilities to include airport structure layouts, Pictometry, Wiser Haz-Mat ID Program, Weather Programs, and web-site based contact information. An Incident Commander can now view and prepare for any specific type inbound aircraft. Fuel capacity, dimensions, battery locations, fuel shut offs, interior configuration, and exterior access points can be reviewed while the aircraft is on final or referenced during tactical operations. Standard Emergency Response Patterns (SERP) as well as hot, warm and cold zones can be determined on overlying mapping programs.
Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) have become popular for emergency responders in structural fire fighting over the last few years. Technology has exploded, and strategic decision making information is now available at your fingertips. Through the integration of this tool, ARFF Incident Commanders can access this technology and make split second decisions backed by sound data, available instantly through the ARFF Database. MDT’s can provide decision making information that can alter the course of the event. Information is a critical resource that must be readily available during aircraft accidents. The boxes full of binders folded and rolled plans in the back of the commanders vehicle needs to be replaced with technology. The time is right, the technology is proven and mature, and the need is there!
The ARFF Database will always be a work in progress. Through the assistance and cooperation of the FAA, Cargo Airlines, Air Carrier Airlines and members of the ARFF Working Group, we will continue to make this product better. The Database project along with technical support and automatic updates is available to all members in good standing.
The database will become available on April 1st.
