Firefighters at the Tallahassee Regional Airport have just finished some high-powered training. Tom Flanigan reports the course even included a realistic fire rescue involving a life size aircraft replica.
Fire was engulfing the plane just off the airport’s north-south runway. Screams came from inside the cabin as airport fire fighters attacked the flames. Within moments, the fire was out and rescuers had the passengers out of the plane. It all looked real, but it was just the climax of many hours of classroom and hands-on training. Allen Fine from Kellogg Community College in Michigan was one of the training instructors.
“It’s very important to keep the skills sharp and use your own equipment on your own airport and actually have a prop you can use that catches fire.”
And how did Tallahassee’s airport fire crew do on their exams?
“Oh, wonderful. Some of the best I’ve seen and I’ve been all around the country. I wouldn’t have any problem flying in and out of here. Some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Great equipment and great guys.”
Yearly refresher training is a federal requirement of all U-S airport fire crews.