2. RFFS & Emergency Cats

Question 1

What does an aerodrome RFFS category depend on? (1)

Answer 1

Length and width of the largest aircraft normally using the aerodrome

Question 2

What are the RFFS Categories? (2)

Answer 2

• Special
• 1 to 10

Question 3

What are the helicopter fire fighting categories? (2)

Answer 3

• H1 to H3
• Overall length, including tail boom and rotor, of the longest helicopter to use the heliport

Question 4

When RFFS training is taking place what shall the ATCO look out for? (1)

Answer 4

Smoke drifting

Question 5

When shall emergency exercises by RFFS be carried out? (2)

Answer 5

• By conducting a full scale aerodrome emergency exercise at intervals not exceeding 2 years
• For AD’s with RFFS Cat 3 or higher

Question 6

What defines a repsonse time from RFFS? (1)

Answer 6

The time between initial call to RFFS and the time the first responding vehicle(s) is in position and, if required, to produce foam at rate of at least 50% of discharge rate specified

Question 7

What is the objective for RFFS repsonse times? (1)

Answer 7

To achieve a response time of 2 minutes, but not exceeding 3 minutes to the end of each runway in optimum surface conditions

Question 8

What are the 2 possible RFFS reduction phraseology? (2)

Answer 8

“Message from the Aerodrome Operator, rescue and fire fighting services reduced to category (number)”

OR

“Message from the Aerodrome operator, no rescue and fire fighting services available”

Question 9

Fire vehicles transiting to an emergency should be given priority, and clearances issued in advance of requirements. True or False?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What is an Aircraft Accident / Aircraft Accident Imminent? (1)

Answer 10

When an Aircraft Accident has occurred or is inevitable on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome

Question 11

What is an Aircraft Ground Incident? (1)

Answer 11

When an aircraft on the ground is known to have an emergency situation other than an accident, which requires the attendance of the emergency services

Question 12

What is a Full Emergency? (1)

Answer 12

When it is known that an aircraft in the air is, or is suspected to be, in such difficulties that there is danger of an accident

Question 13

What is a Local Standby? (1)

Answer 13

When it is known that an aircraft has, or is suspected to have, developed some defect but the trouble would not normally involve any serious difficulty in effecting a safe landing

Question 14

What is a Weather Standby? (1)

Answer 14

When weather conditions are such as to render a landing (or take-off) difficult or difficult to observe

e.g. strong crosswind, poor visibility, wind shear, ice or snow on the runway

Question 15

What is an Unlawful Act? (1)

Answer 15

Action to be taken in the case of any unlawful act will be contained in the aerodrome’s Contingency Plan, which will be drawn up in conjunction with the local Police

Question 16

What is an Off-Aerodrome Accident? (1)

Answer 16

Emergency Orders should contain details of the action to be taken in the case of aircraft accidents occurring outside the aerodrome boundaries

Question 17

What frequency and conditions may an aircraft communicate with RFFS? (4)

Answer 17

• 121.6 Mhz
• Use only on the ground
• Aircraft must also listen out to ATC
• RFFS may use A/C reg, not the callsign

Question 18

Who is responsible of the removal of crashed aircraft? (2)

Answer 18

• Aerodrome operator
• Aircraft owner / operator

Question 19

In normal circumstances, who may authorise the removal of an aircraft? (1)

Answer 19

AAIB - Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Question 20

Who must be informed if there is a requirement for the emergency removal of a crashed aircraft? (1)

Answer 20

The SCOD must in form the Aerodrome Operator

Question 21

What are the other duties of RFFS? (5)

Answer 21

• At certain airfields the RFFS undertakes other duties e.g. snow clearance, fuelling, baggage handling
• These duties must not interfere with the prime function of the RFFS
• RFFS may be called upon for ‘special services’: personnel accidents, flooded premises, fuel spillages
• If within radius of action attendance will be immediate
• May temporarily deplete RFFS cover

Question 22

RFFS Cat 1 & 2 ADs may accept what? (1)

Answer 22

One category higher than promulgated Cateogry

Question 23

A Cat 1 aerodrome may accept a Cat 2 aircraft and Cat 2 aerodromes may accept Cat 3 aircraft, providing what? (1)

Answer 23

Providing that the busiest 3 months of proceeding 12 months were fewer than 700 movements of those aircraft types

Question 24

What action shall be taken in a reduction of Fire category? (3)

Answer 24

1. Transmit to A/C
2. Inform ACC Supervisor
3. Any other agency documented in MATS pt 2