Media invited to attend the National Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training School on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Pittsburgh International Airport

MEDIA ADVISORY: Media are invited to attend the National Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training School on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 7-8:00 PM. This session will present dramatic photographic opportunities of emergency aircraft training scenarios with an aircraft fuselage simulator.

Findlay Township, PA, 2015-9-24 — /Travel PR News/ — The Allegheny County Airport Authority Fire Department will host fire industry professionals from throughout North America Sept. 21-25 during the American Association of Airport Executives, Northeast Chapter, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) School.

During the weeklong session held annually at the Pittsburgh International Airport Fire Training Facility, Basic and Advanced ARFF courses are taught. They are designed to provide first responders with expert knowledge and industry best-practices from initial ARFF training to critical leadership and advanced technical skills taught by academic and field experts. The program provides rigorous training both in the classroom and hands-on emergency simulations on the ground.

Students are not only exposed to the basic workings of an ARFF fire department, but they also receive personal one-on-one instruction in aircraft search and rescue operations. The goal of both courses is to help students learn to make educated decisions in critical situations. Additionally, participants will learn to master vehicle operations by driving large emergency apparatus, as well as foam fighting operations for working with the aviation industry’s primary suppression agent.

“Our instructors are known for their ability to mold students into firefighters who work safely in all conditions,” said Richard B. Wilson, Allegheny County Airport Authority Fire Chief. “Whether enrolled in the Basic or Advanced courses, students will return from the 2015 training school with knowledge that is second to none.”

Firefighters from three states, one territory and three countries are attending this year. The Fire Training Facility features a 135-foot diameter propane fueled burn area with a simulated aircraft fuselage in its center. Besides being able to fight fuel spill fires, the firefighters are also challenged with scenarios like engine fires, wheel brake fires, and can even do interior evolutions such as cabin fires, lavatory fires, and galley fires. Firefighters can also practice their search and rescue skills inside the fuselage.

The fire training facility at Pittsburgh International is staffed by ACAA firefighters who are certified as Suppression Level Instructors by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and undergo hundreds of additional hours of training in various aspects of aircraft rescue, firefighting, construction, and systems.

In a cooperative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), the ARFF Training Facility at Pittsburgh International Airport opened in 1999. Since then, more than 2,500 ARFF Firefighters from around the world have attended training sessions at the facility to get hands-on practice with aircraft emergencies.

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DIRECTIONS TO THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY: From Downtown Pittsburgh, take 376 West to Clinton Exit (Exit 52) (First exit past Airport Exit) At the Stop Sign at the top of the Exit Ramp, turn LEFT. Proceed straight (the road narrows to two lanes) for about two miles and turn LEFT onto McCaslin Road. Imperial Metals Company is at the turn. Continue straight and go through Gate MMM. Go one mile to the first Paved LEFT TURN. This is at an underpass / tunnel. Go through the tunnel, to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill, bear RIGHT. Road leads into the Fire Training Facility Parking Area.

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