Airport fire service officers receive vital training

An Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) officer must undergo Instructional Techniques and Fire Ground Leadership training to take charge of shift and to lead and direct rescue and fire fighting operations in any emergency situation,says an official.
National Airports Corporation Human Resource Manager Organisational Development, LeoKaptigau said the ARFF personnel performed their duties according to the ratings they held.
The Rating trainings are recommended for Duty Fire Officer and Shift Supervisor across NAC airports in the country.
He said the aim of the training was to train the Airport Rescue Fire Fighting officers to meet theInternational Civil Aviation Organisation standards.
He said the ARFF has eight endorsement ratings in accordance with ICAO standards and procedures after initial Basic Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Training upon recruitment, which are topography,aircraft familiarization,fire control centre, radio telephonyprocedures, fire tender drivingand pump operations, instructional
techniques, fire ground leadership, station administration.
He said NAC’s Airport Fire Response capability and preparedness towards the Asia Pacific Economic
(Apec) Summit was good.
NAC had been conducting trainings at Mt Hagen (Kagamuga Airport) from Feb 12-26, 2018 and East New Britain (Tokua Airport)from March 5-16, 2018 and will be conducting the training in Lae(Nadzab Airport) in May.
Kaptigau said at the end of the training, a duty officer and shift supervisor will be able to;
a) Lead and direct rescue and fire fighting operations as required
b) Demonstrate skills and knowledge to take charge of a shift in an event of aircraft emergencies.
The Programme covers competencies and leadership attributes in leadership, strategy and tactics,tactical plan, aircraft knowledge,size up, planned training, fire ground tactics, drills and exercises,turnout procedures, and aerodrome emergency procedures