Welcome to AFOA

Your gateway to airport fire safety and training

Mission Statement

The Airport Fire Officers Association strengthens leadership and excellence in airport fire and rescue services by sharing knowledge, advancing best practices and promoting safety, sustainability, innovation and new technology through strong partnerships with sector organisations.

Why Join AFOA?

Join a specialised professional community dedicated to airport fire and rescue leadership. As an AFOA member you’ll gain access to the latest industry guidance, connect with peers and decision-makers across the airport fire environment, and keep your skills and knowledge ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a serving officer, manager or supplier supporting ARFF services, membership delivers tangible benefits and strategic insight to help you excel.

Access to Best Practice & Guidance
Stay at the forefront of airport fire service standards with exclusive access to:
- Technical guidance and case studies from actual incidents
- Regular updates on regulatory changes (e.g., CAP 1150, NFCC airport fire standards)
- Curated resources on emerging topics—foam & PFAS, foaming agents, firefighting vehicle innovations, hybrid/EV aircraft responses
“Membership means you don’t have to reinvent the wheel — you leverage what others have tested.”
Networking with Airport Fire Leaders
Build your professional network and learn directly from your peers across the sector:
- Invitations to AFOA’s flagship annual AGM & conference and regional meet-ups
- Access to a members-only directory of senior officers, airport fire leads and supplier partners
- Forums and workshops where you can share experience, ask questions, benchmark practice
“The right contact at the right airport can make the difference when you’re planning or responding.”
Events & CPD Opportunities
Immerse yourself in focused professional development designed for ARFF and airport fire professionals:
- Specialist workshops and webinars on hot topics (incidents, foam/legacy issues, ARFF strategy)
- Annual conference with hands-on sessions, site visits and supplier exhibits
- Recognised CPD tracking — add value to your personal development and your service’s training portfolio
“From classroom to airfield, our events give you experience, not just theory.”
Access to Incidents and Case Studies
Learn from real-world events so that your service benefits from shared experience, not just textbooks:
- Detailed incident reports and after-action reviews from airports and industrial sites
- Trend analysis: what’s changing in aircraft types, fire loads, rescue-agent technology
- A searchable library of lessons-learned to support your training, risk assessment and operational reviews
“It’s not about what hasn’t happened — it’s about what we can learn from what did.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

AFOA Conference 2026

The line-up for this years conference is geared towards operational response.

20th - 22nd April 2026 Gatwick

Keep Checking the Website for Updates

The line-up for this years conference is geared towards operational response and includes the following:

– Keynote; Gail Rowntree. – Associate Professor in Aviation Crisis Management
– CAA/FAA; Industry Update from both sides of the pond
– Fire Chief From Bangalore
– Paul Ankrett – Advanced Aviation tactics & techniques overview. A fresh perspective.
– Matt Bourner – One of the first UK Aviation Firefighter who lost a leg following a motorcycle accident and his road to recovery to becoming an operational F/F following his accident.

-Rob Dipper; Gatwick Airport Car Park Incident Response Review
– Nancy Tonkin; An overview of managing legacy fire fighting foams including PFAS and fire ground contamination.
– John Lord; Running a workshop on contaminants & cancers within the Fire Fighting industry.
– Overview & Visit to Dublin Airport Fire Station.

This remains subject to change

Exhibitors and Sponsors are reminded the final date for expressions of interest closes on January 15th

COMMERCIAL

AFOA are pleased to offer member Airports, Manufacturers, Training Providers and Equipment Suppliers the opportunity to have a direct link from the AFOA website to their own websites.

Suppliers

Airports

AFRS GIBRALTAR
Belfast City Airport Fire Service
Belfast International Airport
Birmingham Airport Fire and Rescue
Boscombe Down (QinetiQ FRS)
Bournemouth Airport Fire Service
Bristol Airport
Cambridge Airport Fire Service
Cardiff Airport
Cornwall Airport Newquay
Cranfield University
Defence Fire and Rescue
Dubai Airports
Dublin Airport
East Midlands Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Exeter International Airport
Falkland Islands Airport Fire & Rescue Service
Farnborough Airport Ltd
Gatwick Airport Fire Service
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd
Gloucestershire Airport
Guernsey and Alderney Airports
Hawarden Airport
Heathrow Airport Limited
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd
IWM Duxford
Leeds Bradford Airport
Liverpool Airport Limited
London Ashford Airport (Lydd)
London Biggin Hill Airport
London Luton Airport Operations Limited
London Oxford Airport
London Southend Airport
Manchester Airport Fire Service
Newcastle International Airport Ltd
Norwich International Airport
Ports of Jersey
Shannon Airport
Southampton International Airport Ltd
Stansted Airport
Teesside International Airport

Training Providers

Newcastle International Training Academy

Newcastle International Airport Training Academy provides a range of accredited Firefighting and Safety related training courses to clients from around the world.
Our Aviation Firefighting courses are accredited by the Falck Fire Academy which ensures our high standards are maintained with assessment and educational oversight supported by strategic partner Newcastle College. As Rosenbauer UK`s approved training provider in the UK for HRET training we are also able to deliver Skills for Justice accredited courses with the very latest equipment. Bespoke training, Maintenance of Competence days, Breathing Apparatus courses, Confined Space and Working at Height courses are also delivered at the academy.

Emergency Response Driver Training Ltd

(ERDT) is the only Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Internationally accredited training provider that can offer a range of Airport Fire Service driver training courses accredited by RoSPA and written in-line with the High-Speed Driver Training codes of practice, CAP 699 AFF2.
We also deliver Airside Defensive Driving Safety Awareness (ADD-Safety Awareness)
ERDT delivers training to over 80 Emergency Services 52 of which are Fire Services 37 of them Airport Fire Service across the UK and Worldwide. We have the experience to deliver RFFS training to low category Airports, Military Airports and have trained some of the largest Airports in the world including Dubai International and Singapore Changi International.

SimTrainerUK LTD

SimTrainer UK is an SFJ Awards Centre recognised across the UK and internationally for high quality, interactive and immersive training courses.
Our clients include many of the UK’s major airports, fire and rescue services, and large companies. We strive to provide a high level of customer support and satisfaction to all, with full support given both during and after the delivery of our courses.
We can deliver courses at our training rooms or at your site.

Serco International Fire training Centre

Serco IFTC, has been training aviation fire fighters and fire service managers since 1981.
We offer an unparalleled choice of aviation fire training rigs, kerosene burns, use of dual media, six appliances, a state of the art virtual reality suite and a team of expert tutors who have all come from the fire service before specialising in training and education.
We hold a range of recognised accreditations including the International Civil Aviation Authority (TRAINAIR Associate Member), the French Civil Aviation Authority, UK Skills for Justice Awards and regulators in the maritime, offshore and high hazard markets which provide assurance in the quality, safety and high performance of our training.
As unparalleled experts in the field, we can work in trusted partnership with you to achieve cost efficiencies without compromising on the high standards of service your fire team is able to deliver.

Fire Service College

Welcome to the forefront of fire safety and response training. At our core, we are dedicated to empowering firefighters and emergency responders with the skills they need to excel in their critical roles, both in the UK and globally.

With a rich legacy spanning over four decades, we are your trusted partner in equipping today’s emergency responders with the most up-to-date techniques and practices. Our mission is to ensure that fire and rescue services are armed with the finest training to face any challenge.

Red One Ltd is the commercial trading arm of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service. We provide high-quality, accredited training across a range of sectors, including aviation, defence, construction, and energy. Our specialist aviation services include fire and rescue training, emergency response, and incident command. We also supply industrial firefighting teams and consultancy to support compliance and operational readiness.

Level 3 Award in Breathing Apparatus Instruction (BAI) – accredited by SFJ Awards
Level 3 Award in Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBTI) – accredited by SFJ Awards
Level 3 Award in Positive Pressure Ventilation Training (PPVI) – accredited by SFJ Awards
Level 2 Award in Fire Safety Principles – accredited by SFJ Awards
Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (FREC3) – accredited by Qualsafe
Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC4) – accredited by Qualsafe
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (FAW) – accredited by Qualsafe
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (EFAW) – accredited by Qualsafe

Job Vacancies

Welcome to the AFOA Job Vacancies section, where we share the latest opportunities within the airport fire fighting and officer community.

Whether you're an experienced airport fire officer or just starting your journey in aviation fire safety, this is your go-to resource for career opportunities. We regularly update this section with vacancies that come to our attention, ensuring you stay informed about roles across the industry.

If you're an employer looking to advertise a vacancy, please get in touch with us to have your listing featured here.

Check back often for new opportunities and take the next step in your career

Station Manager Vacancy

Liverpool John Lennon Airport have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Station Manager within the Rescue and Firefighting Services (RFFS) Team.

We invite application from colleagues with operational sector competence to Aviation Supervisor level and who have a sound understanding of the Incident Command Systems (ICS) and Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP).

We are looking for a forward-thinking individual who can demonstrate strong leadership skills and an exceptional team player with the ability to inspire and maintain outstanding performance from others. You must be a highly effective communicator who can lead by example, and can evidence commitment to Liverpool John Lennon Airport values. You must have experience of operating in the role of Supervisor in the RFFS as a minimum and evidence of appropriate operational and Incident Command experience.

The role of Station Manager is an integral part of the RFFS Management Team which is pivotal in driving forward initiatives along with business-as-usual activities in a professional, inclusive, innovative, and effective way, and in accordance with all regulatory, statutory, and legal duties supporting the Senior Airport Fire Officer and being committed to developing yourself and taking an active role in developing your team.