AFOA TOPICS & NEWS
AFOA / ARFF Conference 2025
The line-up for this years conference is geared towards operational response.
28-30th April 2025
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.
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– 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
RAF Benevolent Fund Raffle
CAA and NFCC ATG call for closer links with RFFS in producing SSRI.
CAA Principle Inspector, Neil Gray has called for closer ties between Fire Services and Airport RFFS in producing Site Specific Risk Information, following the Luton Airport Car Park Fire.
Looking under the wings of airport fire service inspection - Emergency Services Times
7th Feb 2025
Airport fire services play a crucial role in ensuring safety during the rare event of an aircraft accident during take-off or landing, given the risks posed by large quantities of jet fuel. Neil Gray, one of two Principal Aerodrome Inspectors for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), leads a team that inspects both fire services and all other aspects of aerodrome operations. This differs from inspections conducted by HMICFRS for public fire and rescue services, as CAA inspections cover a broader range of aerodrome activities. The CAA oversees 132 aerodromes in the UK, with 41 certified airports requiring dedicated fire services, and inspections are planned according to each aerodrome’s complexity and risk level.
CAA inspections are structured through an oversight planning programme, with high-risk aerodromes visited annually and others every 16 months. Unlike HMICFRS, the CAA does not publish individual inspection reports; findings contribute to an overall safety performance review. Non-compliances are addressed with varying levels of urgency, from immediate safety risks to minor observations. Training is vital due to the rarity of airport fires, and realistic exercises, including a major incident drill every two years, ensure preparedness. Although the Luton Airport car park fire highlighted the collaboration between airport and local fire services, the primary focus of airport fire teams remains aircraft incidents—though international discussions are exploring expanding their remit to cover buildings. Despite the demanding inspection schedule across the UK and its territories, the varied nature of aerodrome safety keeps the role both challenging and rewarding.
Grenfell firefighters suffering long-term health disorders
13th Jan 2025
A study conducted by the University of Central Lancashire, with support from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), examined the health of 524 firefighters who responded to the Grenfell Tower fire. Published in the Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, the research found that 26% of firefighters reported adverse health effects, with 301 health issues recorded overall. Many suffered from multiple conditions, including digestive diseases (66 cases), respiratory diseases (64), neurological disorders (22), and 11 cancer diagnoses. The study, led by Professor Anna Stec, revealed that the majority of affected firefighters had been unable to wear respiratory protection during the incident due to the severity of the fire. Exposure to toxic smoke and particulate matter far exceeded safety limits, with immediate symptoms such as choking, breathing difficulties, and vomiting experienced by many on the night.
The long-term health impacts remain uncertain, as some cancers and diseases can take years to develop. Researchers have drawn comparisons to the health consequences faced by emergency responders after 9/11, where a health monitoring programme was introduced to enable early diagnosis and treatment. However, no such regular health screening has been implemented for Grenfell firefighters or residents. The FBU’s General Secretary, Matt Wrack, has called for urgent action to introduce routine health checks across the fire service to detect illnesses early and protect firefighters’ lives. Professor Stec echoed this, highlighting the growing evidence linking firefighting to cancer and other diseases, stressing that preventative health monitoring is now essential for UK firefighters.
Aviation Awareness Seminar
AFOA attended the aviation awareness seminar, organised by John Lord. Attendees included Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, Police, RAF, AAIB and Representatives from various Airports.
Karl Scammel (AAIB) spoke about his teams work on Aircraft Crash Investigation and explained what the expectations are as far as preservation of evidence, should the LAFRS attend a crash incident off airfield. He also gave an overview of Aircraft Hazards that are present at an incident to ensure responding personnel have an awareness and can mitigate accordingly.
Gary Lane MBE, spoke about his work and responsibilities as the Regional Liaison Officer for northern England. He spoke about different types of military aircraft and their hazards and also some of the protocols that are envoked following a crash of a military aircraft.
Simon Carnegie from Lancashire Police gave a talk on Drones and specifically counter drone operations within his remit of Lancashire police force.
Simon Lane, AFOA Committee member, spoke about AFOA, what the organisation is, what it’s aims and objectives are, the organisations and groups it works with and how it works to improve the RFFS through best practice, shared learnings and collaboration.
Steve Glennon, BAE Wharton, gave an overview of the policies and procedures the RFFS are legislated to and the complexities the RFFS can face working in both an airside and landside environment.
John Lord finished the day with a talk on airside UFP contaminants, where the hazard is found, the consequences it can lead to and importantly, what responders can do to protect themselves, this includes, correct PPE / RPE, good decontamination procedures and SNOMED codes. John explained what the codes are and how they should be used.
The day was a real success and achieved its aims of raising awareness with other responding agencies around aircraft and Airport hazards and the work the RFFS do.
AFOA would like to thank John Lord for the invitation and continues to support these events that help to raise the profile of Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services.
Significant Incident Report
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has published a comprehensive report detailing the major fire at London Luton Airport’s Terminal Car Park 2. The report has been published on 9 October 2024.
The significant incident report outlines the scale of the operation, which required more than 100 firefighters at its height. Crews worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighbouring car park, the multi-million-pound DART travel infrastructure, and aircraft. The incident, which led to widespread disruption at the airport, was managed without any serious injuries or fatalities.
The report identifies areas for improvement, particularly in fire safety measures for multi-storey car parks. If there had been a suitable sprinkler system, it may have changed and delayed the fire spread.