Growth & Jobs | NMIA firefighters: prepared for the unexpected

The roar of a jet engine is a familiar sound at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), operated by PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), a subsidiary of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). But, amid the hustle and bustle of arrivals and departures, a dedicated team stands ready for a different kind of sound – the piercing alarm that signals an emergency.

The team at the PACKAL Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) prepares every day for a specialised world, far removed from the typical blaze most imagine when they think of firefighting. Theirs is a world where jet fuel fires, aircraft structural integrity, medical emergencies and rapid evacuation protocols demand expertise and precision unlike any other.

The recent fire incident at the airport’s Club Kingston VIP Lounge served as a stark reminder of the crucial role the team of 23 brave men and one woman plays – often working behind the scenes yet always prepared for action.

“At the airport, the challenges are unique, demanding a distinct set of skills in aviation firefighting and an exceptional level of preparedness. Safety is paramount,” says Keith Rankin, a seasoned veteran and the emergency services manager. He lauded his team’s exemplary conduct and the airport’s robust Incident Command System, which facilitated a swift and coordinated response to the March 14 event. He noted further that only the day before, the team had been engaged in a full-scale emergency simulation exercise at the airport.

Sashane Tyrell, who is the sole female member, stands shoulder to shoulder with her male colleagues and is treated with the same respect and expectation. “I’ve been trained to operate as an integral part of this team, and the opportunity to contribute to emergency response situations alongside such a highly skilled squad makes this job incredibly fulfilling,” Tyrell shared, her words a powerful invitation for other women to consider this demanding yet rewarding career path.

“Never underestimate yourself! My initial training was challenging, filled with moments of doubt, but the support of my teammates motivated me to persevere through hard work and dedication.”

NO MARGIN FOR ERROR

The training regimen for these firefighters is both rigorous and continuous, encompassing both structural firefighting techniques and the specialised demands of aviation emergencies.

They regularly engage in drills that simulate a spectrum of critical scenarios, including mass casualty incidents, engine fires, cabin smoke intrusions, and aircraft emergency incidents on or near the airfield. “Each member of the team is required to participate in two tabletop exercises and one full-scale emergency simulation exercise each year. This is in addition to 20 hours of training each month which includes a physical assessment and an endurance test,” Rankin explained.

Monthly inspections of safety equipment are also conducted to ensure the team operates within the required safety standards.

“In an emergency, there’s no margin for error; every second is critical,” Rankin stressed, as he explained the under three-minute requirement for responding to aircraft emergencies.

He was overseeing the final checks on one of their three imposing Oshkosh Global Strikers – their primary intervention vehicles – in preparation for an incoming aircraft pressure-related emergency. Every gauge, every valve, every breathing apparatus meticulously inspected. Complacency is an alien concept among the team. “Our mandate is clear: to respond swiftly and effectively, leveraging our specialised equipment and intensive training to mitigate any situation and, ultimately, save lives,” Rankin stated.

SPIRIT OF PREPAREDNESS

The ARFFS boasts an impressive arsenal of specialised vehicles and equipment. Powerful water tenders capable of delivering thousands of gallons of foam and water per minute stand ready alongside cutting-edge rescue tools, designed to breach aircraft fuselages. A fully equipped ambulance and a Boston Whaler Rescue Boat with a capacity of four 50-man life rafts, capable of accommodating up to 240 people are also at the ready. Daily test runs ensure the rescue boat remains in good working order to respond to any aviation emergency on water.

The firefighters’ role also extends to medical emergencies. When a passenger recently collapsed in the departure terminal, complaining of abdominal pains, the airport’s emergency medical technicians (EMTs), many of whom are cross-trained firefighters, were the first responders. They administered treatment, and coordinated transfer to the hospital, their calm and efficient actions reassuring anxious onlookers.

The firefighters regularly conduct fire safety training sessions for airport staff, from baggage handlers to airline crew and educate them on fire prevention measures, evacuation procedures, and the proper use of fire extinguishers. Additionally, each company at the airport is required to have at least four trained safety marshals.

As the heartbeat of Jamaica’s gateway, the NMIA relies on the dedicated men and woman of its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Service to stand ever ready, with courage and expertise, ensuring the safety and well-being of all who pass through its gates, embodying the spirit of preparedness for the unexpected, every single day.