Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS)
The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) of Cochin International Airport commenced operations on 25 May 1999 with CAT-8 level of protection. From 01 July 2005 onwards the level of protection provided at this airport has been upgraded to CAT-9, as per ICAO standards.
Cochin International Airport Limited is a Category 9 airport that requires an appropriate Rescue and Fire Flighting Service to protect life and property against some unique risks. The number of flights and the size of aircraft to facilitate our passengers necessitates a well equipped and highly trained ARFF service.
Far-sighted investment in the new appliances and training is ensuring that our Fire Service has the professional manpower and modern facilities to respond quickly and efficiently to any emergency incident.
We proud that our ARFF Service meets and exceeds all required standards as per ICAO regulations and also provides protection to life and property , aircraft and terminal buildings ,cargo terminals ,aircraft fueling facilities etc. The Fire Station is located near ATC Tower which is 250 Metres far from the middle of runway and meets response time to either end of the runway.
Our ARFF team is dedicated to ensure that a high standard of professional efficiency is maintained at all times.
Fire Station
The Fire Station building has been designed as per international standards by HOK Consultants, Florida. It has all facilities including spacious appliance bays, training hall, office rooms, watch tower, fire control room, crew rooms, MI room, pantry, store rooms etc. Refilling of Crash Fire Tender water tanks are done from an underground static water tank having 1,00,000 litres capacity and two overhead tanks having 25,000 litres capacity each, all of them located around the Fire Station building. The entire Fire Station complex is provided with an efficient public address system.
Watch Tower and Fire Control Room
Watch Tower is the nerve centre that keeps continuous watch of apron and aircraft movement areas and alerts the fire crew for turnout in case of an incident. The communication facilities like VHF R/T, AM Radio and Hot line with ATC are provided in the Watch Tower. Both crash bell and fire siren alarm arrangements exist for alerting the fire crew from ATC tower or Fire Station watchtower, as the case may be. The Fire control room receives all emergency calls and mobilizes fire appliances for dispatching to site and coordinate for augmentation as per the Airport’s established Emergency Plan.
APPLIANCES
Airfield Crash Fire Tenders
The Station is equipped with 4 Airfield Crash Fire Tenders (ACFT) and one Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) all imported from Rosenbauer, Austria. Out of these one ACFT has been provided as standby to cover maintenance activities. The major ACFT has a capacity of 9000 Litres water and 1080 Litres foam compound. The other ACFTs have water tank of 6500 Litres capacity and foam compound tank of 800 Litres capacity. The RIV has 2400 Litres of water tank capacity and 300 Litres foam compound tank capacity. The vehicles are well equipped with long range monitors and fire fighting equipments. Rescue equipments like Breathing Apparatus Sets, Fire Proximity Suits, Hydraulic Rescue Tools, Power Saw etc are also provided. The vehicles are fitted with R/T communication system and public address facility.
Ambulances and Jeeps
The ARFFS has two fully equipped Ambulances. Apart from these, one imported Special Emergency Service Ambulance has been provided by Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. All the Ambulances are provided with Stretchers, Breathing Oxygen and life saving medicines and life supporting equipments. The ambulances are also equipped with excellent radio communication facilities. Jeeps fitted with VHF radio communication facilities are available at the Fire Station for various operational duties at any point of time.
ARFF Team
The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting team consists of 91 fully dedicated staff including 6 Officers and 16 Fire Foremen working on a three-watch system. In addition to Rescue and Fire fighting training, most of the crewmembers are St. Johns Ambulance First-aid certificate holders. The Operational competence and proficiency of the ARFF personnel are periodically evaluated through practical performance tests.
Training and Preparedness
Regular theoretical classes and practical fire drills, parades, hot fire practices, aircraft and airport familiarization programme etc. are conducted at Station level. The Training Hall is equipped with audio-visual training aids, aircraft rescue charts and other information tables, video cassettes etc. Periodical mock-up aircraft hot fire practices simulating various air crash scenarios are conducted at the designated fire pit. Surprise drills are carried out to ensure the alertness and quick response of the crew. Fire crew are also sent to ICAO recognized institutions for undergoing training courses in aircraft rescue and fire fighting.
Physical Training
Physical fitness of Fire Crew is given due importance in all training programmes. To have good physical fitness, Fire personnel undergo regular physical training at Station level. A volleyball court is also provided in the Fire Station premises for free time play.
Fire Protection Facilities For Airport Buildings
Fire detection and alarm system, fire hydrants, hose reels and fire extinguishers are provided in Terminal buildings and ATC for early detection and control of fire as per standard practice. All the other buildings are provided with first-aid fire extinguishers. Periodical training is imparted to the employees of various agencies occupying the buildings regarding the actions to be taken in case of an emergency.
Our ARFF Service personnel are dedicated to ensure that a high standard of professional efficiency is maintained at all times. Any suggestions for further improvement are welcome.
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