New aviation firefighters graduate

Airservices Australia has welcomed 18 new aviation rescue firefighters into service at a graduation ceremony at Melbourne Airport.

The new firefighters have recently completed a 10 week course at Airservices Learning Academy in Melbourne as well as ground training in Sydney. The training focused fighting aircraft and structural fires, aviation rescue techniques and dealing with the hazards of highly flammable aviation fuels. Keith Helt of Victoria was awarded the Silver Axe as the most outstanding recruit of the course.

“Our firefighters have the expertise to provide Australian airports and airline passengers with first-rate rescue and fire-fighting services,” said Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting general manager Andrew Rushbrook.

“They respond to a diverse range of incidents ranging from medical emergencies, to aircraft and airport buildings fires. Our firefighters also provide support to metropolitan and rural firefighters and emergency services when needed.”