Hobart welcomes new aviation fire fighters, vehicles and fire control centre

07-12-2010 -

Airservices welcomed three new airport fire fighters following an exclusive recruitment round and as many new ultra-large fire vehicle Mk8s to its aviation rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) service at Hobart Airport today.

The welcome coincides with an upgrade of the station’s fire control centre (FCC) from analogue to digital, as part of a $12 million upgrade of fire control technology by Airservices.

The recruits join a team of 26 stationed at Hobart Airport and a national service of more than 700 fire fighters stationed at the nation’s busiest airports.

The fire fighters completed a physically gruelling ten-week training course at Airservices Learning Academy in Melbourne and the organisation’s fire training ground in Sydney.

They received a theoretical and practical education in fighting aircraft and structural fires, aviation rescue techniques and dealing with the hazards of highly flammable aviation fuels.

Once at their assigned stations they will receive ongoing training in the use of off-road vehicles and water rescue boats.

Andrew Rushbrook, Airservices ARFF General Manager, said that the job of an aviation fire fighter was a challenging and demanding career with big opportunities to work at aviation fire stations around the country.

“Airservices has one of the largest, most highly trained, professional aviation fire and rescue services in the world,” Mr Rushbrook said.

“Our fire fighters have the expertise to provide Australian airports and airline passengers with first-rate rescue and fire-fighting services.

“They respond to a diverse range of incidents ranging from medical emergencies, to aircraft and airport buildings fires. Our fire fighters also provide support to metropolitan and rural fire fighters and emergency services when needed.”

Airservices fire fighters at Hobart Airport responded to more than 97 calls in the past 12 months, including fire alarms, first aid calls and aircraft incidents.

For media enquiries please contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or email media@airservicesaustralia.com

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