Fire Training at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport


Airport Fire Fighters at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport go through extensive training to ensure safety for passengers and staff. Fire trucks are checked and tested daily by Airport Firefighters to ensure they are ready for immediate use, as well as checking that firefighting equipment meets FAA standards.


Each month, the Airport Firefighters runs through multiple fire training drills to review firefighting and safety drills. Physical training routines consist of simulated fires that could potentially occur on the track, requiring the crew to strategize the best method of safely suppressing the blaze. For each of these scenarios, a broken down car obtained from local mechanics is set on fire using straw and ignition pallets. The crew sets these test fires without using accelerants such as gasoline or alcohol in order to follow proper safety guidelines.






These practice routines ensure the crew is ready to handle a real emergency should it arise. As the most common fire hazards involve on-site vehicles, this training is crucial to maintaining airport safety. While the crew is prepared to handle many possible incidents, their partnership with Tompkins Mutual Aid Agencies ensures they will have backup in case a larger incidents.



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Other training routines involve reviewing basic safety, proper lifting techniques, OSHA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations and guidelines, and state safety requirements. These programs are usually reserved for winter training so the crew can perform physical drills in the summer.


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