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
- January 10, 2019: Draft Addendum, HRET Hand Signals, to AC 150/5210-23, ARFF Vehicle and High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Operation, Training and Qualifications
Comments are requested by February 11, 2018. - October 30, 2018: 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. - September 21, 2017: Thermal Imaging for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Applications FAA Technical Center report examines the capabilities of thermal cameras for ARFF operations by conducting both full- and small-scale tests. The research also tests the cameras for the ability to be used with a Driver's Enhanced Vision System in different road and weather conditions, in identifying hot brakes, in the presence of a pool fire, and in identifying aircraft from far distances.
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ARFF Guidance
- Advisory Circulars
- Part 139 CertAlerts
- FAA Technical Center Reports
- All Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs)
- Airport Cooperative Research Program Reports
- Transportation Research Board Resources
View All Series 150 Advisory Circulars (ACs)
ARFF-Related CertAlerts
| Number | Title |
|---|---|
| 19-01 | Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Testing at Certificated Part 139 Airports (PDF) (added 1/17/2019) |
| 18-07 | NOTAM Procedure Awareness Associated with Winter Operations (PDF) Note: Paragraph 2d was revised to indicate the expected release of Order 7930.2S. |
| 18-06 | Clarification of Hands-On Fire Extinguisher Training (PDF) |
| 18-05 | Handling Aircraft with Smoke, Odors, and/or Fumes (PDF) |
| 17-01 | Fueling Vehicle Fire Safety Notice (PDF) |
| 16-09 | Particles in Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Tanks on Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicles and AFFF Storage Tanks (PDF) Note: Thank you for participating in our survey. The online survey is now closed. If you need to report particulates, please see the CertAlert for instructions and contact information. |
| 16-08 | Announcement of a Ban on All Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone Devices from Air Transportation in the United States (PDF) |
| 16-05 | Update on Mil-Spec Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) (PDF) |
| 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 - Cancelled |
| 12-01 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled |
| 11-02 | Identifying Mil-Spec Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) - Cancelled |
| 11-01 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 12-01 |
| 10-03 | Extension of Airport Emergency Plan Submission Date to June 30, 2011 - Cancelled |
| 10-02 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 11-01 |
| 09-17 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 10-02 |
| 09-16 | Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Product Recall - Cancelled |
| 09-15 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 09-17 |
| 09-14 | IAFC Releases Two New Alternative Fuels Training Packages for First Responders - Cancelled |
| 09-07 | Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training Facilities - Update - Cancelled |
| 09-02 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 09-15 |
| 09-01 | Notice to Users of Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Air Mask Equipment - Cancelled |
| 08-10 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 09-02 |
| 08-09 | Fuel Safety Training - Update - Cancelled by 08-10 |
| 08-08 | Interpretation of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 407 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing paragraph 4.3.6.7 - Cancelled |
| 08-07 | Guidance on the High-Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) - Cancelled |
View the Complete List of Airport CertAlerts
| Number | Title |
|---|---|
| DOT/FAA/TC-17/27 | Thermal Imaging for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Applications |
| DOT/FAA/TC-14/22 | Impact of Alternative Fuels present in Airports on Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Response |
| DOT/FAA/TC-13/30 | Full-Scale Evaluation of ARFF Tactics for Cargo Fires on Freighter Aircraft |
| DOT/FAA/TC-TN12/34 | Test and Evaluation of Rear-Wheel Steering for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles--Part 2 |
View More FAA Airport Safety Research Reports
| 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
View All ACRP Publications or find out more about the ACRP
| 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
Part 139 Airports and Requirements
- Part 139 Airport Certification Status List (including ARFF Index) (MS Excel)
- Part 139, Certification of Airports
ARFF and First Responder Training
- Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Videos
- First Responder Safety at a Small Aircraft or Helicopter Accident