More than 20 Firefighters from Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department will participate in an Emergency Response to Aircraft/Airfield Incident course at Smyrna and Murfreesboro Airports this week.
The course is hosted by Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority’s Department of Public Safety in conjunction with the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy in Deason, Tennessee. MFRD Firefighters from District 6 and other responding stations will attend the 3-day/20-hour course.
The course covers basic procedures for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, commonly referred to as ARFF, for municipal firefighters. Course topics include: Aviation fire suppression, general airfield safety, airport terminology, and search procedures and how to locate downed aircraft. Emergency response to commercial incidents and rescue of occupants are also included in this course.
With the approaching expansion of the Murfreesboro Airport and the importance of the Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace and Engineering program to the community, Chief Cumbey Gaines wanted MFRD to be proactive and ready to handle any emergency that might happen. “I have wanted this class for our Firefighters for a while, and now we are making it happen,” said Gaines.
Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority Executive Director John Black commented on the course, “This collaborative training initiative reflects our commitment to aviation safety in Rutherford County and highlights the quality of the excellent aviation resources we have in our community. This is a true partnership effort.”
Instructors for the course are MFRD Firefighter Matt Young, who has worked part-time for the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority for seven years, along with Chief Joe Johnson and Sonny Highers of the Smyrna Airport. “We try to make the course as realistic as possible so that when Firefighters respond, they are equipped with the knowledge it takes to be safe when dealing with these unique emergencies,” commented Instructor Matt Young. “Just as Firefighters continue to keep up with new car technology, aircraft are also changing. Some aircraft are supplied with ballistic rockets and parachutes. These changes can be very dangerous to Firefighters if they are not properly informed.”
Firefighters will train with foam that is used to put out flammable liquids. Firefighters will also be taught about the various types of general aviation aircraft that are flying in and out of Murfreesboro Airport and how to safely shut them down and rescue the occupants.
Chad Gehrke, Director of Murfreesboro’s Airport, will be going over handheld radios with the Firefighters. He will discuss frequencies and how to effectively communicate with pilots. He will also cover the Airport Emergency Plan, maps, critical facilities, and a few scenarios. “I would like to thank John Black and his staff for assisting us with the additional training for our Fire & Rescue Department. The City of Murfreesboro has very knowledgeable Firefighters with great equipment,” said Gehrke. “Members of the Fire & Rescue Department approached me about supplemental training on properly handling aircraft. I think that says a great deal about the wonderful people we have in our Fire & Rescue Department. They are always training to find ways to improve and serve this community,” he added. “It also says a great deal about John Black and the aviation community, who are always willing to assist each other.”
