ABOUT AFOA
WHO ARE WE
AFOA is a re-launched version of the Senior Airport Fire Officers Association (SAFOA) which came into existence approximately ten years ago. Unfortunately, this never proved to be a significant success as it was only open to a narrow band of high-ranking officers who, in turn, struggled to deliver work whilst dealing with issues on station.
Allied to this was a certain amount of scepticism from airport owners who misinterpreted SAFOA’s agenda and felt they were essentially an officers union.
AFOA was formed in 1998 and has a clear mandate not to become involved in any form of industrial relation issues either in a direct or indirect manner. AFOA are only concerned with the development of standards, best practice and the promotion of communications throughout the industry.
In short, AFOA see themselves as a professional body that would be able to offer advice on any technical issue related to Aviation Fire Fighting.
The idea of opening up to all airport fire officers was to ensure that the industry as a whole was represented, whilst tasks and projects could be accomplished as the pool of resources would increase significantly.
Additionally, AFOA has been a great vehicle to develop the younger junior ranks, as people in this band are the senior officers of the future. The method for achieving this is undertaken primarily through the provision of four quarterly meetings planned in a twelve month period. The first meeting of the year is the annual two-day conference, which this year attracts in excess of one hundred delegates each year.
An example of the work undertaken includes the production of a Generic Guidance Manual produced for the implementation of an in house Maintenance Scheme for Fire Fighters which will be expanded now that the Supervisory and Managerial Roles have been identified and agreed., and the RFFS Medical & Fitness Policy Guidance Document.
Other projects have ensured that AFOA encourage a better, more pro-active relationship with manufacturers, suppliers and training providers as we feel the need to be involved with fire fighting technologies and, their on-going development
Strong links have been forged with Terberg DTS UK Fire and Rescue Division (Fire Appliances, Fire Fighting Equipment and Foam), the International Fire Training Centre, Teesside (Training Provider), KIDDE Fire Trainers (Hot Fire Simulators), SIDES, Angloco and Rosenbauer (Fire Appliances), Angus and Solberg Scandinavian(Foam and Fire Fighting Equipment), Brothertons and Omex Specialist Products (Runway De-Icing Fluids) Drager (Breathing Apparatus) etc…
The low category airports have been a little resistant in joining so far although AFOA are making great strides to inform them of their significance in signing up to such an organisation.
In conclusion, AFOA are well established within the industry and has a strong rapport with legislative bodies in the UK as well as comparable associations overseas. It is clear that there is a need for such a forum so that a certain amount of commonality can be achieved, much in the same way that the local authority brigades operate through the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
Our Committee
Waine Weaver Chairperson
Waine Weaver is the current Chairperson of the Airport Fire Officers Association, having served on the committee since 2019.
Waine began his fire service career in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy in 1992. Serving 9 years, being based primarily at RNAS Yeovilton. He also served in RFA Argus, HMS Ocean and in Northern Ireland.
Waine left the Royal Navy in 2001 and continued to serve as a Royal Navy volunteer reserve for a furthermore four years.
In 2001 he joined both Lancashire & Blackpool Airport Fire & Rescue Services as a fire fighter. At Blackpool Airport he was promoted through the ranks, holding a number of operational roles to finally achieving the position of Chief Fire Officer in 2013.
Following the restructure of Blackpool Airport in 2014 Waine was promoted to Chief Fire Officer & Operations Manager where he continued to serve for a further five years.
In 2021 Waine joined the Fire Service College, Moreton in Marsh, where he was responsible for training delivery, course development and quality assurance, across a number of areas.
Waine is now currently serving as the Fire Service Manager at StandardAero, and he is responsible for ensuring the service delivery of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, Fire Safety and Emergency Planning across a number of StandardAero’s sites in the UK.
During his extensive career, Waine has held many roles from operational to training and development. Waine is enthusiastic about professional development and technical expertise. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Emergency Planning and Crisis Management.
Barry Alderslade
Barry joined the Royal Air Force Fire Service at the age of 16 and gained a distinguished pass in Firefighting at the Catterick Fire Training School.
After leaving the Air Force Barry joined the Fire Service at London Heathrow in 1983. Rising through the ranks Barry eventually ended up being transferred to London Gatwick eventually gaining promotion to Deputy Airport Fire Manager. Duties included managing the Fire Service operational delivery and a commercial operation now called Gatwick Fire.
Barry also worked for 18 years as a retained fire fighter with Hants FRS which gives him not only a background in Aviation but also Local Authority FRS structural operations.
With the involvement of working with UK security services Barry was nominated to be the first NILO (National Inter-Agency Liaison Officer) from the private sector and was the National Aviation Lead NILO also sitting on the S.E SECTU Working Group.
After leaving Gatwick, Barry was offered a post as SME for Dubai Airports Fire Service. Barry also worked as a consultant for Dr Katherine Lamb’s Effective Command (EC) crisis decision making training & assessment business.
Barry has also served in Surrey Fire & Rescue Service as their Business Development Manager, based at Wray Park, Reigate. Duties include cross border collaboration and integration modelling of Blue light services.
In 2019 Barry took up a new role working as an SME for Capita’s Defence Fire & Rescue Services (DFRP) PROJECT and continues to instruct at the Fire Service College.
Barry is living in the Brecon Beacons National Park. He is married to Nikki with one daughter. He is a keen on/off motor cycle enthusiast, is a British Gliding Association Instructor flying out of the world’s largest gliding club in Lasham Hampshire, Paraglider pilot and enjoys general fitness sports as long as it doesn’t involve a ball.
Catherine O’Brien
Catherine has been a qualified member of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) since 1997.
She has trained and worked as an accountant within public practice since leaving school following A-levels. After having her two sons she became self-employed, while still working within the same industry, in order to work the hours that suit her family life.
Simon Lane
Simon Lane is a Station Officer in charge of Operations for Falck Fire Services, bringing over 32 years of firefighting experience. He served for 10 years with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service until 2011, early into his career here, he transitioned to the Airport Fire Service, where he has dedicated the past 22 years. Throughout his career, Simon has played a key role in emergency response, operational planning, and firefighter training, ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency. His leadership and expertise make him a vital asset to Falck Fire Services, where he continues to drive operational excellence and readiness in high-pressure environments.
Dr Lee Rowley
Lee Rowley is an Operational Fire Station Manager at Heathrow Airport and serves as a Visiting Lecturer/Instructor for Aviation at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
Lee joined Birmingham Airport as a Firefighter in 2007 before progressing into roles in Corporate and Organisational Resilience, and serving for a number of years in various roles at The Fire Service College. He joined Heathrow Airport in January 2023 where one of his primary responsibilities involves the management of training for over 100 fire service personnel.
He has completed higher education studies at four Universities, and completed a Ph.D. in 2023. He has a Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, and membership of the Chartered Management Institute and the Business Continuity Institute.
Lee was awarded the Fire Service Commendation Medal whilst serving as a Firefighter at Birmingham Airport for the rescue of an engineer entrapped within the fuel tank of a Boeing 737
Lesley Routh-Jones
- Stakeholder and Relationship Manager – Fire and Emergency Services
- Capita/The Fire Service College
Lesley has over 20 years’ experience within the Fire Sector working in charity event organisation, income generation, business development and account management.
Lesley is well respected within both the UK and International Fire Sector, where she works closely with key influencers and stakeholders… Lesley has a vast and enviable network of contacts.
Lesley is employed as Stakeholder Relationship Manager for the Fire Service College Capita. In addition, she is a member of several Institutes and Associations.
Lesley has won awards for her contribution to charity.
Kieran Merriman
Current Members
AFRS GIBRALTAR
Alpine Metal Tech UK Limited
AMS Aircraft Recovery Limited
Angloco Ltd
Artemis TD Ltd
BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd
Ballyclare Group
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
Civil Aviation Authority
CODA (Operations) Ltd
Cold Cut Systems
Cornwall Airport Newquay
Cranfield University
Defence Fire and Rescue
Delta Fire Ltd
De-Wipe
Dubai Airports
Dublin Airport
East Midlands Airport
Edinburgh Airport
EFORSA
Emergency One (UK) Ltd
Emergency Response Driver Training Ltd
Exeter International Airport
Falck Fire Services UK
Falkland Islands Airport Fire & Rescue Service
Farnborough Airport Ltd
Fire Control Services Limited
Fire Service College (Capita)
Flaim
Gatwick Airport Fire Service
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd
Global Airport Partners
Gloucestershire Airport
GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics
Guernsey and Alderney Airports
Hampshire FRS
Hawarden Airport
Hawkes Fire Ltd
Heathrow Airport Limited
Hendeca Group Ltd
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd
Hunter Apparel Solutions
Incident Control Room
International Fire Training Centre
Irish Air Corps
IWM Duxford
KFT Fire Trainer GmbH
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
North Fire
Norwich International Airport
Perren Engineering Ltd
Ports of Jersey
Radiocoms Systems Ltd
Redkite
Rescue Intellitech UK Ltd
Resqtec
Rosenbauer UK Ltd
Safe Fire Consultancy Ltd
Shannon Airport
Simtraineruk Ltd
Southampton International Airport Ltd
Standby Group Ltd
Stansted Airport
Steroplast Healthcare Ltd
Structurus
Suffolk FRS
Teesside International Airport
Terberg DTS (UK) Ltd
Texport
The Fire Training Group
Tony Storer
Trauma & Resuscitation Services Ltd
Turks & Caicos Islands Civil Aviation Authority
Vector Aerospace FRS
Vimpex
Waterous Company
West Sussex FRS
Honorary Members
Bill Kitchen
Bob Slade
Chris Farnaby
Dave Cook
George Taylor
Gerry Keogh
Graeme Day
Graham Simpson
Haydn Beynon
Jason Ivey
Paul Hardiman
Phil Rowsell
Simon Webb
Mark Scoggins
John Purdy
Ian Webb
Simon Petts
FAQs
What are the benefits of becoming a member?
Membership brings with it many opportunities to collaborate and network with industry peers and professional bodies. Your organisation will have access to a wide range of expertise online, via member communications and working groups, virtual and in-person events. As well as driving up standards of operational delivery within the aviation firefighting industry, membership will enhance the professional development of you and your staff.
Who are your members?
Organisations or individuals with an interest in Aviation Rescue & Firefighting Services. AFOA has the vast majority of the UK licensed aerodromes as members, countless businesses within our supply chain, Local Authority FRS’s, and many more. It is an extremely broad association that gains input from a wide spectrum.
Who runs AFOA?
AFOA is effectively an industry association, our committee hold the responsibility for direction and governance, however they effectively report and answer to the membership.
What other bodies and organisations do you work with?
We work closely with the Airport Officers Association [AOA], the National Fire Chiefs Council [NFCC], Women in the Fire Service UK, JOIFF (fire hazard management) and IAFPA [International Aviation Fire Protection Association]. The Civil Aviation Authority [CAA] have spoken at many of our events and provide us with legislative updates and guidance that we disseminate to members.
We continue to build affiliations with our international counterparts and work closely with the Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Working Groups (USA). We also support the Fire Service Charity.
What kind of events do you run?
We run a minimum of two events a year, a main two-day conference with workshops and dinner in February and an AGM in September. During Covid-19 restrictions these events were held online. We actively look for other events (Supplier Demo Days etc.) that we can add value to.
How have you supported the industry in the Covid-19 pandemic?
The art of emergency planning and operational resilience is second nature to the aviation firefighting sector but the Covid-19 pandemic required an unprecedented pace of response. We were able to share updates such as easements from the Civil Aviation Authority on a dedicated area of our website and held a webinar on the sector’s response to the pandemic where airports shared their key learnings and recommendations for future planning.
Does AFOA provide guidance on industrial relations issues?
No. AFOA was formed with the clear mandate not to become involved in any form of industrial relation issue either in a direct or indirect manner. AFOA is only concerned with the development of standards, best practice, and the promotion of communications throughout the industry.
How are you promoting diversity in the industry?
AFOA is committed to promoting equal opportunities and it is important to us that our membership represents the industry as a whole, not just senior officers. Much of our work is focused on developing the junior ranks. We have recently begun working with Women in the Fire Service to see how we can help to build more progressive airport fire and rescue services in the UK and Ireland.
How do I join?
To become a member of AFOA contact us here.
How much does it cost?
Around £150 per organisation.