DIA Fire Codes

[MikeyB]

I would like to see the South Metro rig, I've seen most the DIA stuff. I was a fuel er for united then worked at AMR combs, but maybe they have new stuff.

Has anyone ever heard them out there practising?

Here is a picture of their Red truck.

 

[KB9LMJ]

That's correct 35's is the Centennial ARFF rig but 35's station is not on-site (I realize it's close) at the airport and more importantly it uses the crew from 35's a pair and the medic to staff, so if there out on another call no ARFF and certainly no dedicated ARFF for such a busy airport. Funny have you heard a Centennial call dispatched? They get a ton of street rigs including even Parker Station 74.

Jim<

What's funny about that is the FAA REQUIRES manned ARFF at ALL times on an active air field that falls into their classification system. It's been a few years since I've had a class on this so I'm going to do my best. Centennial is classified on an airport scale based off of the type and size of aircraft that land there. This classification number then translates to amount of water and time that water arrives on scene of a crash. It says nothing about number of personnel needed to respond, but does state that if the water and/or time is depleated (as in 35's running a call and not staffing the rigs) then that airport MUST derate its classification to fit what's available. In short, as the responders leave, the size and type of planes that are allowed to land decreases. In SMFRs case, as soon as they leave, Centennial should, by all rights, close its doors to air ops until the water/time ratio can be reestablished. Goes to show what money can do, huh??? Something weird there. Another interesting note is DIA only runs its ARFF rigs w/ 2 people! FAA says nothing about manpower, just water/time. Make ya feel safe?

 

[n0doz]

What's funny about that is the FAA REQUIRES manned ARFF at ALL times on an active air field that falls into their classification system. It's been a few years since I've had a class on this so I'm going to do my best. Centennial is classified on an airport scale based off of the type and size of aircraft that land there. This classification number then translates to amount of water and time that water arrives on scene of a crash. It says nothing about number of personnel needed to respond, but does state that if the water and/or time is depleated (as in 35's running a call and not staffing the rigs) then that airport MUST derate its classification to fit what's available. In short, as the responders leave, the size and type of planes that are allowed to land decreases. In SMFRs case, as soon as they leave, Centennial should, by all rights, close its doors to air ops until the water/time ratio can be reestablished. Goes to show what money can do, huh??? Something weird there. Another interesting note is DIA only runs its ARFF rigs w/ 2 people! FAA says nothing about manpower, just water/time. Make ya feel safe?

I'm not a fireman, but I've been at the airport for 9 years. It's true that the FAA requires ARFF at certain airports, depending on size. Most, if not all, "classified" airports are the ones with scheduled airline service.
DIA ARFF rigs have 2 or 3 crew members, depending on the rig. This is the normal complement for ARFF rigs anywhere. Most functions of an ARFF rig are controlled from inside the cab anyway.
Traditional rivalries between cops and firemen aside, we have one of, if not the, best fire units in the country at DIA.

 

[KB9LMJ]

Traditional rivalries between cops and firemen aside, we have one of, if not the, best fire units in the country at DIA.[/QUOTE]

Oh I don't disagree, but the reality is if there's a soft impact or runway type crash involving fire and passengers need to rapidly disembark, the number of personnel available for rescue is very limited. And that's at any airport, not just DIA. That's one of those "we're always behind the 8 ball" scenarios. Crash Rescue, unlike the street service, has no standard written to suggest manpower, like NFPA 1910 or 1710. (like that gets followed anyway) They only have the time/water requirement set forth in CFR part 139. And worse yet, even though DFD will send a group to assist, if there's fire involving the aircraft, the skin will burn through in approx 90 secs vs the standard of 2 mins to disembark all passengers via every door. Simply put, and aircraft crash is going to suck either way. And if passengers are ambulatory, they're going to do most of the walking to get away. Those that are not ambulatory...well.

Grand Junction used to, I'm not sure if they still do, train their security as crash/rescue and not man their trucks at all. Same with Baton Rouge, LA. At least SMFR has people there most of the time. And Centennial does schedule flights (business/corporate) and it does fit into a classification bracket, I just can't remember which one it is off of my head.

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraf...capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/categories/

 

[KB9LMJ]

Ah ah! Here's something that was not explained in class and makes sense for Class 3 airports like Centennial.

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/airport_safety/part139_cert/?p1=rescue

This also, loosely, explains why ARFF at DIA will never leave the airport unless they want to declassify and fly smaller until the ARFF returns. And I'm sure the airline won't like that suggestion at all.