ARFF receives new protective equipment

PHAN6132 — Airservices CEO Greg Russell at the launch of the new ARFF protective clothing. (Paul Sadler)

Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) officers have been issued with new ‘smart’ personal protective equipment as part of a $2.4 million upgrade to ARFF equipment around Australia.

Airservices says that the new equipment is replacing clothing which had been in use for more than 15 years, and complies or exceeds the relevant Australian standards, offering greater protection for ARFF officers. It also features advanced radio frequency identification chips which will allow computer systems to log care and maintenance activities and provide a comprehensive record of their activities.

The new equipment has been supplied by PAC Fire Australia. “We’ve made several modifications during trials to ensure the clothing is suited to Australian aviation fire fighting environments from Tasmania to the Northern Territory,” said ARFF general manager Andrew Rushbrook.

The purchase of the new gear is part of a wider $70 million, five year program by Airservices to modernise the ARFF service, which also includes the purchase of new equipment, fire trucks, training facilities, and new fire stations at selected airports.