This page is the home of information and guidance for Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services.
Certificated Aerodromes
UK Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 requires aerodrome operators to have an emergency plan in place. This must:
- Be proportionate to the aircraft operations and other activities taking place at the aerodrome;
- Provide for the coordination of appropriate organisations to respond to an emergency at the aerodrome or in its surroundings;
- Contain procedures for testing the adequacy of the plan, and for reviewing the results in order to improve its effectiveness.
One of the major parts of this plan is the provision of airport rescue and fire fighting services (RFFS) with adequate equipment, fire-extinguishing agents and properly trained personnel to respond to emergencies efficiently.
Licensed Aerodromes
Chapter 8 of CAP168 sets out the minimum requirements to be met in the provision of RFFS at licensed aerodromes. Guidance is also given on the equipment, extinguishing agents, personnel, training and emergency procedures.
Chapter 9 of CAP168 sets out the requirements for the establishment of an emergency plan. This must:
- Be proportionate to the aircraft operations and other activities taking place at the aerodrome;
- Provide for the coordination of appropriate organisations to respond to an emergency at the aerodrome or in its surroundings;
- Contain procedures for testing the adequacy of the plan, and for reviewing the results in order to improve its effectiveness.
By following the Useful Links and the information below, you will find information and guidance to support the provision of RFFS and other emergency arrangements at Aerodromes.
Aerodrome Emergency Planning
Information & guidance relating to Aerodrome emergency planning arrangements.
Comms and Alerting Systems
Information & guidance relating to RFFS communications and alerting systems.
Level of Protection
Information & guidance relating to the analysis and calculation of RFFS resources.
Vehicles and Equipment
Information & guidance relating vehicles and equipment.
Extinguishing Agents
Information and guidance relating to extinguishing agents.
Response Time
Information and guidance relating to response time principles and assessment.
Personnel
Information and guidance relating to training and proficiency of RFFS personnel.
NHS SNOMED codes are now available for firefighters and can be registered with GPs.
The codes are internationally recognised and are known to all Primary Care facilities. The codes are useful as they highlight the role of firefighters and their exposure to toxins.
The codes are known known as 'SNOMED CT', and the SNOMED code for Fire fighter is as follows:
Firefighter - 106382009
Occupational exposure to toxic agents - 16090571000119109
Medical & Fitness
Information and guidance relating to medical and fitness programmes.
Innovations
Information and guidance relating to how aviation innovations impact RFFS response and Emergency Planning arrangements. This may include alternative fuels, urban air mobility, vertiports, extinguishing agents, etc.
Emerging topics
In this section, we will be providing useful information to aerodromes on emerging topics. If you have any issues that you would like us to provide information on, please email us at aerodromes.ATM@caa.co.uk, including 'RFFS' in the subject line of the email.
Provide page feedback
Please enter your comments below, or use our usual service contacts if a specific matter requires an answer.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.