The objective of this NPA is to maintain a high level of safety for aerodrome operations and support level playing field. In particular, it aims to enhance the effectiveness of rescue and firefighting personnel when responding to aviation emergencies at an aerodrome, and to allow the training of rescue of firefighting personnel on pressure-fed fuel fires at facilities that utilise other than jet fuel (e.g. gas).
This NPA proposes guidance material for the aerodrome operators in order to verify the suitability of their existing medical and physical medical requirements for rescue and firefighting personnel and revise them, if considered necessary. Furthermore, alternative fuel types are allowed for the training of rescue and firefighting personnel on pressure-fed fuel fires.
The proposed changes are expected to maintain and in certain cases enhance safety as well as to support level playing field. Aerodrome operators will be affected by the proposed guidance material if they elect to review their current requirements based on the guidance provided by EASA. Additionally, the use of alternative fuel types for the training of rescue and firefighting personnel on pressure-fed fuel fires would provide the opportunity for the aerodrome operators to use facilities which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly for the training of rescue and firefighting personnel.
