Purpose:  The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines for the response of fire department personnel and equipment to aircraft emergency situations and to establish guidelines for the handling of the emergency incidents in conjunction with the airport personnel. The fire department shall follow these guidelines to insure the safety of personnel.

Procedure:  The fire department shall follow these guidelines in working with airport personnel in the handling of emergency incidents at the airport.

Response:  Apparatus response will be in the following order: 52-13, 52-31 and 52-55 code 3 to the scene and 52-61 and 52-32 will remain on standby in quarters with manpower and will only respond if requested by incident command.

ON-AIRPORT OPERATIONS

Unless otherwise notified, all apparatus will respond and enter the airport at the service entrance off of Griffith Way on Route 376. Enroute to the scene, the airport radios, which are located on 52-13, 5231, and 5255 shall be turned on and switched to frequency 124.000 which is used for "Local Control" of the airways via the Tower. This will assist in monitoring the conversations occurring between the Tower and the Aircraft reporting problems. In addition, a fire ground channel shall be requested through Dutchess 911 to open communications with Crash Truck, Airport 92-11.

Upon arrival at the service entrance, the gate can be opened either via card access, which are on all the apparatus, or via Knox Box key. Upon arrival, an exterior firefighter, probationary firefighter, or fire police member with a radio must be placed at the entrance to the gate. The gate switch shall be moved to keep the gate open until all apparatus have arrived on the airport grounds. It is the responsibility of the member standing by to secure the gate and protect the airfield from unauthorized trespassing of any other vehicles. When apparatus are cleared to enter taxiway and leave staging area, gate will be closed and monitored. The member will advise the IC of anyone requesting access. Unless IC permits access, the gate remains closed.

Apparatus shall not enter the taxiways or runways until contact is made with Airport 92-11 and authorization is given either via the Tower or Airport 92-11. Communications with the Tower will be on aviation band frequency 121.8 MHz, unless otherwise advised. NO personal vehicles are allowed on the runway or taxiways at any time. Members that have responded in personal vehicles are required to park either just inside or just outside the service entrance and board responding apparatus as they arrive.

The Incident Command System shall be utilized.  First arriving apparatus or officer will assume command of the scene upon arrival at the landing site.  While Airport 92-11 will be the first apparatus on the scene and New Hackensack supports that apparatus, New Hackensack is responsible for the scene and all party’s safety.

Airport Operations After 11:00 PM 

The control tower's hours of operation are normally 7 A.M. until 11 P.M., daily 365 days per year. Although the Tower is closed, the airport is still open. Aircraft flying VFR (Visual Flight Restriction) are required to announce over 124.0 their intent when in proximity to the airport. In the event of an incident after hours, it is the IC's responsibility to assign someone to monitor aviation band frequency 124.0 and request Dutchess 911 to contact the Airport Director. It shall be announced at 3 minute intervals over the frequency "This is New Hackensack Fire Department on 124.0, be advised that Dutchess County Airport is closed at this time." This must continue until DC Airport Director or personnel arrive and shut down the runway lighting system. The airport is equipped with an electronic system that allows inbound aircraft to turn on the lights to runways 24 /6 by clicking the radio on frequency 124.0 approximately 5-6 times. If the lights turn on while operating on the runway, it is imperative that the individual monitoring 124.0 announce the closing of the airport.

New Hackensack is only responsible for advising aircraft the airport is closed. We do not advise of alternative routes or destinations.

OFF-AIRPORT OPERATIONS

While enroute to the scene, the airport radios should be turned on and switched to frequency 124.000 to receive reports and assistance from the Airport Tower.  A fire ground channel shall be requested through Dutchess 911 to open communications with Airport 92-11.

Upon arrival, the first arriving apparatus shall give an initial report on conditions.  Some issues to report on include:
1. Are there any survivors
2. Is the aircraft on fire?
3. Any hazardous leaks
4. Exposures

A full size-up should be performed and any additional requests for assistance should be made.  An operational perimeter should be set-up as well as a Command Post.

The Incident Command System shall be utilized.  First arriving apparatus or officer will assume command of the scene upon arrival at the landing site.  New Hackensack is responsible for the scene and all party’s safety.

SAFETY ISSUES

1. Full protective clothing and SCBA will be required.
2. Remember to follow procedures for crossing taxiways and active runways.
3. Beware of the propellers, rotors and jet exhaust.
4. Do not approach military aircraft from the front, as they may be loaded with ordinance.
5. Airport personnel may be more knowledgeable and should be used to assist in decisions.
6. Beware of fuel spills and vapor clouds.
7. Be prepared for possible explosions.
8. Keep personnel away from aircraft and in staging if not being utilized.

TACTICAL PROCEDURES

If NO FIRE is present:

1. Airport 92-11 will, in most instances, be the first apparatus on the scene and will be applying foam on and around the aircraft upon arrival.  New Hackensack shall assist escaping passengers and provide support to Airport 92-11.

2. Use foam on spilled fuel and aircraft to minimize ignition potential.  If foam is not available, flush spilled fuel away from cabin or cockpit and keep fog streams in operation while effecting rescue of occupants.  (Remember to keep in mind where the spilled fuel may be running.)

3. Take precautions against possible fuel ignition.  Set up a safety perimeter around the incident site and try and determine if there are any hazardous materials on board the aircraft.

If FIRE is present:

1. Airport 92-11 will, in most instances, be the first apparatus on the scene and will be applying foam on and around the aircraft upon arrival.  New Hackensack shall assist escaping passengers and provide support to Airport 92-11.  An escape path for the escaping passengers should be made by using foam to cut a path through the burning flammable liquid from the escape exit door to a safe area outside the burning flammable liquid. If foam is not available, use large volumes of water. Protect the aircraft fuselage from direct flame impingement since fire can burn through fuselage within 60 seconds.

2. Approach from windward, if possible.

3. Protect exposures.

4. Set up a safety perimeter around the incident site and try and determine if there are any hazardous materials on board the aircraft.

5. Except in the case of a small aircraft, Get an interior attack line inside the aircraft as soon as possible, if and only if passengers are still on board, without interfering with the escape of the passengers. Fire intensity will require the use of 1-3/4" or 2" hand lines.  Consider adopting a defensive mode of operation to protect personnel and exposures if there is no threat to life safety.

6. Provide interior ventilation as fast as possible inside the aircraft. Most victims who die inside survivable aircraft crashes die of smoke inhalation. Use PPV fans or fog hose streams to ventilate. Pressurize from unburned area and provide ventilation exit in fire area. Ventilation should be started at the same time as the attack lines are put into operation, if possible.

7. Request that the Police Department secure the scene and assist in the control of the ambulatory passengers. Have the police provide a holding area for them until sectors can be assigned.

8. Initiate both fire and medical sectors as soon as possible. An MCI plan with the County should be requested if necessary.  Consider establishing a branch level Command system to address fire and medical operations separately.

9. Large amounts of flammable liquids on fire require large amounts of foam extinguishing agents.

10. Keep all flammable liquids covered with a foam blanket to prevent ignition.

11. Jagged metal parts of the aircraft can cut through protective clothing and hose lines.

12. If saws are used for extrication or ventilation, arcing and sparking will need to be suppressed with water/foam from hand lines. A good blanket of foam must be maintained on the flammable liquids area. Be aware that aircraft have numerous high-pressure hydraulic lines that can cause serious injury if cut or broken.

13. Always have a safety back-up crew with charged and staffed hose lines in place to protect all personnel who will be working inside the spilled flammable liquid areas. All personnel working in these areas shall be in full protective gear, with S.C.B.A.

14. Have police secure a route in and out of the incident site to permit easy movement of emergency equipment, particularly for ambulances going to hospitals.

15. Do not allow any overhaul operations to take place until all investigative agencies are through, unless needed to suppress fire.

16. Be aware that larger aircraft have oxygen cylinders on board that can explode, become missiles and/or accelerate the spread of fire.

17. Never assume that there are no survivors of the aircraft crash. Get primary and secondary all clears.

18. Notify the FAA via the Air Traffic Control Tower.

Important:   The F.A.A. control tower operates seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  However, aircraft still announce their intentions to surrounding aircraft using frequency 124.000.  In addition, Airport 92-11 is normally in service seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.