The Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFF) is the theme
of a new photographic exhibition
to be unveiled at the 2010 Open Day at the Airways Museum. The exhibition
will be on display for one year.
Before 1955 rescue and fire-fighting at Australia's civil airports was provided by a combination of a few regular Firefighters at the capital city airports, backed up by volunteer Auxiliary Firemen drawn from airport and airline personnel. In 1955 the Department of Civil Aviation Fire Service was formally established and a program to construct and equip airport Fire Stations at the major airports was undertaken.
Today the civil ARFF Service is operated by Airservices Australia and employs 725 firefighting and 45 support staff at 21 airports around Australia.
The 2010 Airways Museum Open Day will feature the history of the ARFF Service with the opening of a new Photographic Exhibition, and guest speakers and films throughout the day. Airservices Australia will also provide one of the latest Mark 8 Ultra Large Fire Vehicles, which will be open for public inspection.
To see our current website information on the ARFF, click here
To see some photos from the day, click here
Programme of activities:
The Museum will be Open 10am-5pm
| Time | Event |
| 10.30 am | Film: Blanket for Survival (1950s) Colour, 22 min. Aircraft fire fighting principles using a Boeing Stratocruiser as the object. |
| 11 am | Speaker: The History of the ARFF - Superintendent Les Heath, Airservices Australia |
| 1 pm | Speaker: The Monegeeta Monster Story - Phil Vabre, CAHS |
| 2.30 pm | Speaker: The History of the ARFF - Superintendent Les Heath, Airservices Australia |
| 3.30 pm |
Film: Blanket for Survival (1950s) Colour, 22 min. Aircraft fire fighting principles using a Boeing Stratocruiser as the object. |
Entry to the Museum is by gold coin donation. Free tea and coffee is available throughout the day.