Airports may require firefighting personnel
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Dec 08/00) - Based on draft regulations by Transport Canada, Fort Simpson's airport may need at least one trained firefighter to be present for takeoff and landing of all scheduled aircraft.
"Everyone will be affected by this, regardless of whether it's a government-operated airport, a municipality or private," said Daniel Auger, assistant director of programs and standards for the GNWT's airports division.
He added that the airport operator will be responsible for covering the cost of the service.
An airport employee or an airline employee who has received adequate training could fill the role, it won't necessarily have to be a firefighter, he explained.
The training would include background on fire behaviour, fire extinguishment and basic characteristics of aircraft using the airport.
"This is to provide an initial response. The normal emergency procedure will still apply," he said.
"As we do right now, we work with municipal fire departments and we'll continue that way."
The measure, which won't likely take effect for at least a couple of years, is intended to apply to busier airports in communities like Simpson, Hay River, Norman Wells, Inuvik and Fort Smith.
Some basic emergency response equipment that could "be mounted in the back of a pick-up truck" would also be mandatory at runway sites, he noted.
The impetus for the change comes from a federal review following an accident a few years ago in Fredericton, N.B., where an Air Canada jet slid off the runway, he said.
