Operators of Part 139 airports must provide aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services during air carrier operations that require a Part 139 certificate. The guidance and resources below address ARFF training, ARFF vehicles, and other aviation fire and rescue requirements. More on Part 139 >>

Hot Items

  • February 19, 2015: Department of Defense (DoD) Qualified Product Database (QPD)
    Airport operators holding FAA Airport Operating Certificates can use the QPD to ensure any Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) they purchase conforms to MIL-F-24385.
  • January 30, 2015: FEMA Emergency Management Institute Course V-0025 - Virtual Tabletop Exercise Series (VTTX) - Active Shooter (PDF)
    When: February 17, 18, 19, 24*, and 25*, 2015 (* new dates)
    Who: Community-based groups from local, tribal or state emergency management organizations with representation from all Emergency Management disciplines
    What: The Virtual Tabletop Exercises (VTTX) will focus on an active shooter event taking place in your community, using historical events and recovery actions. The VTTX involves key personnel discussing simulated scenarios in an informal setting, and can be used to assess plans, policies, training, and procedures. This VTTX differs from other Tabletop exercises in that it will be conducted using Video-Teleconference (VTC) technology (not web based) and is intended to provide an opportunity for responders across the Nation to simultaneously participate in a hazard-specific facilitated discussion. Each exercise will be limited to approximately 10 locations. See also Active Shooter Preparedness on the Department of Homeland Security website.
  • March 12, 2014: Access the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
    Part 139 requires first responders to have access to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA's) Emergency Response Guidebook. The ERG helps first responders deal with hazmat accidents during the critical first 30 minutes. On the PHMSA website, first responders can access a list of state emergency management coordinators to get a free copy of the ERG. The public can find out how to purchase a hardcopy or access a free electronic version. The site also explains how to access the new ERG mobile app.
  • Receive email alerts when this page is updated!

Part 139 Airports and Requirements

ARFF and First Responder Training

ARFF Guidance

ARFF-Related Advisory Circulars
Number Title
150/5200-12 First Responders’ Responsibility for Protecting Evidence at the Scene of an Aircraft Accident/Incident
150/5200-31 Airport Emergency Plan
150/5210-5 Painting, Marking, and Lighting of Vehicles Used on an Airport
150/5210-6 Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Agents
150/5210-7 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications
150/5210-13 Airport Water Rescue Plans and Equipment
150/5210-14 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Equipment, Tools and Clothing
150/5210-15 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station Building Design
150/5210-17 Programs for Training of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Personnel
150/5210-19 Driver's Enhanced Vision System (DEVS)
150/5210-23 ARFF Vehicle and High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Operation, Training and Qualifications
150/5220-4 Water Supply Systems for Aircraft Fire and Rescue Protection
150/5220-10 Guide Specification for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles
150/5220-17 Design Standards for an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training Facility
150/5220-26 Airport Ground Vehicle Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Squitter Equipment
150/5230-4 Aircraft Fuel Storage, Handling, and Dispensing on Airports

View All Series 150 Advisory Circulars (ACs)

ARFF-Related CertAlerts

CertAlerts by number and title
Number Title
13-04 Additional Precautions for Approaching Aircraft with Ballistic Parachutes, Ejection Seats, and Airbags (PDF)
13-03 Coordination of High Risk Flight Test Activities at Airports (PDF)
12-05 FAA Safety Inspections of Joint Use Airport (JUA) Facilities Using Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Determining ARFF Compliance with Part 139 Requirements (PDF, 1.53 MB)
12-04 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Safety Alert about SCBA Face Piece Lenses (PDF)
12-01 Fuel Safety Training - Update (PDF) (revised 3/6/2012)
11-02 Identifying Mil-Spec Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) (PDF)
11-01 Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 12-01
10-03 Extension of Airport Emergency Plan Submission Date to June 30, 2011 (PDF)
10-01 Interpretation of the Term 'Consecutive Calendar Months' as Used in Part 139, Certification of Airports (PDF) (revised 4/28/2010)
09-16 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Product Recall (PDF)
09-14 IAFC Releases Two New Alternative Fuels Training Packages for First Responders (PDF)
09-12 Airport Planning for Pandemic flu including H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update (PDF)
09-08 Composites Training and Information (PDF)
09-07 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training Facilities - Update (PDF)
09-01 Notice to Users of Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Air Mask Equipment (PDF)
08-08 Interpretation of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 407 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing paragraph 4.3.6.7 (PDF)
08-07 Guidance on the High-Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) (PDF)
07-09 Class D Fire Fighting Agents – Update (PDF)
Cancels Certalert 07-08.
06-08 NFPA 407/2007 Edition (PDF)
06-04 P-23 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle (PDF)
06-03 Embraer 170/190 (ERJ 170/190) ARFF Door Operation Notice (PDF)
06-02 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Meeting MIL-F-24385 (PDF)
04-18 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training Facility Pool Size (Fixed and Mobile) (MS Word)
04-12 Dry Chemical Systems Inspection and Maintenance (MS Word)
02-04 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Concentrations, Restrictions, and Other User Guidelines (MS Word, 2.05 MB)
98-03 ARFF Index (PDF)
98-02 Airports with Less than Full-time ARFF Coverage (PDF)

View the Complete List of Airport CertAlerts

All Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs)
Number Title
10017 Risks in Transporting Lithium Batteries in Cargo by Aircraft (PDF)
10016 Missing or Improper Seat Stops in Cessna Model (PDF)

View the Complete List of SAFOs

Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies Resources
Number Title
Conference Proceedings 47 Research on the Transmission of Disease in Airports and on Aircraft
Conference Proceedings 41 Interagency-Aviation Industry Collaboration on Planning for Pandemic Outbreaks
National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 525 Guidelines for Transportation Emergency Training Exercises

Visit the TRB Website

Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Reports
Number Title
Notice: ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and sponsored by the FAA. All links to ACRP Reports go to the ACRP website administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), which is not part of FAA.gov or any other Federal government website. After you leave FAA.gov, you are subject to the privacy and security policies of TRB and are no longer protected by Federal privacy laws.
Report 112 Airport Terminal Incident Response Planning
Report 103 Guidebook for Integrating NIMS for Personnel and Resources at Airports
Synthesis 50 Effective Cooperation Among Airports and Local and Regional Emergency Management Agencies for Disaster Preparedness and Response
Report 95 ACRP Report 95: Integrating Community Emergency Response Teams (A-CERTs) at Airports
Report 94 ACRP Report 94: Integrating Web-Based Emergency Management Collaboration Software into Airport Operations: A Primer
Report 91 ACRP Report 91: Infectious Disease Mitigation in Airports and on Aircraft
Synthesis 45 ACRP Synthesis 45: Model Mutual Aid Agreements by Airports
Report 73 ACRP Report 73: Airport-to-Airport Mutual Aid Programs
Synthesis 32 ACRP Synthesis 32: Managing Aerial Firefighting Activities on Airports
Report 22 ACRP Report 22: Helping Airport and Air Carrier Employees Cope with Traumatic Events
Web Document 12 ACRP Web Document 12: Risk Assessment of Proposed ARFF Standards
Web Document 7 ACRP Web Document 7: How Proposed ARFF Standards Would Impact Airports
Report 12 ACRP Report 12: An Airport Guide for Regional Emergency Planning for CBRNE Events and Costs
Report 5 ACRP Report 5: Quarantine Facilities for Arriving Air Travelers: Identification of Planning Needs and Costs

View All ACRP Publications or find out more about the ACRP

Additional Resources

Back to top