SOP 209.01 AIRPORT RESPONSE (Ennis Municipal Airport)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines for the response of Fire Department personnel and equipment to control an emergency situation on the City of Ennis Municipal Airport.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This procedure outlines the responsibilities for both on airport, and off airport fire protection and rescue responses. It identifies and defines the alarm terminology, response, staging areas, stand by locations and communications requirements.

ALARM TERMINOLOGY

The following classifications of aircraft emergencies are used by the Federal Aviation Administration to describe an unsafe condition or situation involving aircraft. They are: ALERT-1, ALERT-2 and ALERT-3.

ALERT-1

This indicates an aircraft is in minor difficulty, e.g. oil leak; one engine out on a three or four engine aircraft and emergency equipment has been requested; one engine out on a twin engine general aviation aircraft, weighing less than 12,500 lbs.; fire warning lights; and so on.

ALERT-2

This indicates that an aircraft is in major difficulty, e.g. positive indication of fire (flame/smoke visible) on board the aircraft; bomb threat, faulty landing gear; no hydraulic pressure; one engine out on a twin engine aircraft, and any general aviation aircraft weighing over 12,500 lbs. It also indicates fire/explosion or similar emergency situation has occurred involving or posing a threat to airport facilities.

ALERT-3

This indicates that an aircraft is involved in an actual accident; (mid-air, on ground, ramp accident or fire) also, that a pilot of an aircraft over 12,500 lbs. has indicated that his gear will not extend and therefore will have to crash land at the airport.

RESPONSE

Because the above definitions do not alone lend themselves to determining the proper fire fighting response, the following system has been devised to select proper equipment response for any size aircraft with any of the three ALERT conditions. To successfully utilize this system, the fire officer must have extensive knowledge of aircraft by make and model numbers. Since the aircraft size and passenger carrying capabilities are the main factor in determining sufficient equipment response, the following assignments will be used by the Fire Department for aircraft emergencies.

YELLOW RESPONSE - On Airport property

RED RESPONSE - Off Airport property

The responsibility of determining the correct response for the emergency will rest with the shift officer receiving notification of the ALERT. He will notify Fire Alarm Headquarters of his decision by the Fire Department radio.

STAGING AND STAND BY POSITIONS

The staging areas shown on the attached maps are predetermined for off field fire and emergency equipment. The units will go to these locations and Level Stage.

STAGING LOCATION = Stage

Stand by positions are locations near the runway that are for runway response.

STAND BY POSITION = CFR

GENERAL INFORMATION

In the event of a crash, the fire equipment shall proceed directly to the location of the accident. Extreme caution should be exercised in crossing runways and watching for taxing aircraft. Caution should also be exercised in crossing and maneuvering in the dirt areas, as there are several low spots that provide drainage between the runways and taxiways. Use blacktop areas as much as possible.

There are several that are worth noting that are helpful things operating on airports:

In fighting an aircraft fire, the attack should be made from upwind and high ground. Plan your approach to accomplish this.

Use your booster tank water with the AFFF concentrate and pre-connected 1 3/4-inch line. Apply the agent in a fog pattern. Use a straight stream for reach and penetration only. Cover the fire area with foam as quickly as possible. Use the agent wisely and efficiently.

When standing by, do not place equipment any closer to the runway than the parallel taxiway. Depending on the situation, you might want to keep equipment back a greater distance. Do not place equipment in a location that will block aircraft taxiways while you are in a stand by condition.

As a general rule, a runway is open as long as there is an aircraft moving or maneuvering on its surface. If the air- craft is stopped and disabled, then the runway is closed.

The Ennis Municipal Airport has a parallel taxiway near the runway that can be utilized to follow the aircraft until it stops or clears the runway. Fire equipment can be placed in a very poor position tactically by following aircraft down a runway.

Runways have white or amber lights and white center stripe, Taxiways do not have lights, so use caution during night operations.

ENNIS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Ennis Municipal Airport has only one runway, and it is designated 15 and 33. Traffic landing on runway 15 would be landing from the northwest and runway 33 would be landing from the southeast.

FOR AIRCRAFT LANDING ON 15: The fire equipment would be better positioned mid-field near the center taxiway. This would allow the quickest access to the runway and would also connect to the parallel taxiway.

FOR AIRCRAFT LANDING ON 33: Standby in the area shown as stage-1. This position should allow good visibility and provide quick access to the runway in either direction.

FOR CRASH ON FIELD: All companies responding to Ennis Municipal Airport will level-I stage, with the exception of the first arriving engine and ambulance.

Use extreme caution when crossing or traveling in aircraft operating area.

For “Yellow Alert” Crashes all department units and personnel will respond to the airport and enter and/or stage.

For “Red Alert” Crashes, the closest available unit will respond with the ambulance provider (ETMCEMS). Note: the unit responding should be a quick-response rescue and/or brush unit, for off-roadway use.

For “Alert 1, or Alert 2” standby assignments, Central Station units and ETMCEMS will respond to the airport for the response. Station 2 will “Move-up” an available unit with personnel to cover Central Station.

The City Manager (101) and the Fire Chief (901) will be advised of all airport and/or aircraft responses or situations.

The “FAA” will be called and notified of the situation, unless the communication originated with the “FAA”.