What considerations for determining the number of personnel are already given in the regulatory framework?
Answer
Although Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 does not contain specific considerations on the number of required rescue and firefighting services (RFFS) personnel, the existing EU regulatory framework contains different factors that may influence the number of RFFS personnel and should be taken into account. The following four key aspects affecting the number of personnel should be considered:
- RFFS Level of Protection (AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2));
- Core Tasks as indicated in the scope of RFFS (GM1 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(1));
- Comparison of available and required resources (AMC6 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2)); and
- Human Performance (AMC6 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2)).
However, the determination should always be guided by the question whether an aerodrome operator is confident with its tactics and the associated number of personnel.
GM1 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(1) specifies that the principal objective […] is to save lives […]. The rescue and firefighting service is provided to create and maintain survivable conditions, to provide egress routes […] and initiate the rescue of those occupants unable to make their escape without aid. The rescue may […] use equipment and personnel other than those assessed primarily for rescue and firefighting […].
In determining the number of personnel required to provide for rescue and firefighting, a Task and Resource Analysis should be performed, taking into consideration the types of aircraft […], the available […] vehicles and equipment (consider: AMC3 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2)), and other duties required from RFFS personnel (GM2 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2)).
AMC6 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2) specifies that the aerodrome operator should ensure that:
- during flight operations […] sufficient trained personnel is detailed and readily available to ride […] vehicles, and to operate the equipment […];
- personnel is deployed […] considering also the use of hand lines, ladders, and other rescue equipment normally associated with aircraft rescue and firefighting operations; […] and
- any other duties carried out […] do not compromise the response […].