Safety Recommendation A-00-084

With the establishment of the task force, the FAA has completed the actions recommended by the Safety Board. The Safety Board would appreciate receiving a copy of the revised AC 150/5210-17 after it is issued. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation A-00-84 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Letter Mail Controlled 11/19/2001 10:51:23 AM MC# 2010908: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) convened a task force to investigate the feasibility of providing hands-on familiarization training (or the equivalent) for aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) personnel at all 14 CFR Part 139 certified airports on each airplane type that serves the airport on a scheduled basis. The task force consisted of representatives from the following organizations:

American Association of Airport Executives Airports Council International-North America Regional Airline Association Air Transport Association Association of Flight Attendants Association of Professional Flight Attendants Air Line Pilots Association Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Working Group

After considerable discussion the group decided that implementing this safety recommendation was not practical at all 14 CFR Part 139 airports. Where aircraft remain overnight, ARFF personnel usually have access to these aircraft through requests to the airline station managers. However, in many situations, it is not feasible to get hands-on experience with all the different types of aircraft serving an airport due to the tight schedules of the air carriers. At many airports, aircraft do not remain overnight. The ARFF personnel should always have access to aircraft schematics. These schematics are obtainable from the air carrier or the aircraft manufacturer.

In August 1998, the FAA issued a CERTALERT to all certificated 14 CFR Part 139 airports to announce the availability of aircraft familiarization charts from various vendors. Additionally, there are several private vendors that have developed training aids (books and computerized programs) that contain this information. While the FAA agrees that hands-on training is highly desirable, it realizes that this is not always possible. The ARFF crews on a particular airport need to make arrangements with the air carriers to access the aircraft serving the airport whenever possible.

This could be for several minutes before boarding commences or for longer periods of time, such as when the aircraft might be delayed for mechanical purposes. As an alternate solution, the task force suggests that the FAA add language to Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5210-17, Programs for Training Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Personnel, to recommend that hands-on aircraft familiarization training for ARFF personnel be conducted when possible. For those periods between hands-on training, the task force ecommends that an equivalent training like interactive videos be given to ARFF personnel. The FAA agrees with the task force and will revise AC 50/5210-17 as recommended.

It is anticipated that the AC will be revised by July 2002. I will provide the Board with a copy of the AC as soon as it is revised.

Pending the Safety Board's receipt of a copy of the task force's review and recommendations, Safety Recommendation A-00-84 is classified "Open--Acceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 11/14/2000 4:39:44 PM MC# 2001688 The FAA is forming a task group to examine this safety recommendation. On August 18, 2000, the FAA sent a letter to the American Association of Airport Executives, the Airports Council International-North America, the Regional Airline Association, the Air Transport Association, the Association of Flight Attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Working Group, and the International Association of Fire Fighters asking for participation on this task group. The FAA anticipates that the working group will complete its task by April 2001.

I will keep the Board informed of the FAA's progress on this safety recommendation.