New aviation rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) services will be introduced at four regional airports around Australia thanks to growing passenger numbers.
Airservices Australia announcing this week that Gladstone, Coffs Harbour, Newman and Ballina/Byron will get the new services by the end of 2014.
The move is the result of increased demand on Australia’s air traffic network due largely to the growth of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) traffic, an increase in tourism and the on-going growth in Australia of new low cost carriers.
“The introduction of new services will protect the community by offering vital first response capability to airport emergencies and an added layer of safety to airport users,” said Airservices Executive General Manager ARFF, Michelle Bennetts.
“This means we are bolstering our fire fighter numbers and vehicle fleet to meet the new service requirements and in the next three years around 240 new fire fighters will need to be recruited into the service."
Regulations set by CASA require ARFF services be established at airports which have had in excess of 350,000 passenger movements for the previous financial year.