GEN 3.7 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications

1.. Discrete Emergency Frequency

  1. Direct contact between an emergency aircraft flight crew, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Incident ­Commander (ARFF IC), and the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is possible on an aeronautical radio ­frequency (Discrete Emergency Frequency [DEF]) designated by Air Traffic Control (ATC) from the operational ­frequencies assigned to that facility.
  2. Emergency aircraft at airports without an ATCT (or when the ATCT is closed) may contact the ARFF IC ­(if ARFF service is provided) on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) published for the airport or ­the civil emergency frequency 121.5 MHz.

2.. Radio Call Signs

Preferred radio call sign for the ARFF IC is “(location/facility) Command” when communicating with the flight ­crew and the FAA ATCT.

3.. ARFF Emergency Hand Signals

In the event that electronic communications cannot be maintained between the ARFF IC and the flight crew, ­standard emergency hand signals as depicted inFIG GEN 3.7-1 through FIG GEN 3.7-3should be used. These ­hand signals should be known and understood by all cockpit and cabin aircrew, and all ARFF firefighters.

FIG GEN 3.7-1
FIG GEN 3.7-1
FIG GEN 3.7-2
FIG GEN 3.7-2
FIG GEN 3.7-3
FIG GEN 3.7-3