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Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel have been given the chance to practice how to tackle fires on large passenger aircraft at a new training facility at Melbourne Airport. The facility was officially opened on April 16 by Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
The centrepiece of the Learning Academy Hot Fire Training Ground is a full-size mock-up of an aircraft fuselage designed as a hybrid replica of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 767.
“The role of Airservices’ Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting service is absolutely vital in protecting the travelling public by offering a critical first-response capability to airport emergencies,” Minister Albanese said at the opening ceremony ahead of a firefighting demonstration.
“This facility with its remarkable simulator allows our…firefighters to receive accredited training under nationally recognised qualifications. It will also enable Airservices to effectively meet future challenges with enhanced firefighting equipment.”
Margaret Staib, chief executive officer of Airservices Australia, said: “The $22 million state-of-the-art facility is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and will support Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting training capabilities and equip our firefighters with the ability required to deal with large, complex airframes.”
The new training ground is part of Airservices’s $140 million, five-year investment scheme to modernise ARFF facilities that also includes the acquisition of new vehicles and refurbishment of fire stations around Australia.
