VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta Regional Airport has experienced a lot of growth during the past few years and one of their latest improvements arrived Aug. 2 from Wyoming, Minn., a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle.
“We’re authorized a new vehicle through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) every 10 years,” said Valdosta Regional Airport Manager Jim Galloway.
The ARFF vehicle was built by Rosenbauer International, the world’s leading ARFF manufacturer out of Minnesota.
“We put it out for bid last summer and then we signed the contract in October,” said Galloway.
Rosenbauer had one year from the beginning of last October to complete the vehicle and actually delivered nearly three months early.
The ARFF vehicle cost $280,559 and 90 percent of the cost was covered by an FAA grant.
“The remainder was divided between the Georgia Department of Transportation and local funding,” said Galloway.
Along with a new vehicle, about $22,000 in new equipment will be ordered. The new ARFF vehicle is the second of its kind at the airport as it has an older ARFF vehicle.
“It’s about 12 years old now and it still has a lot of life left in it,” said Galloway.
Anytime you are dealing with airplanes, safety is paramount, the manager said.
“We will have a built-in backup now,” said Galloway.
The new ARFF vehicle is fashioned with several modern updates such as an infrared camera accompanied by a high-tech screen in the cab.
“It can see through smoke,” said Galloway.
Of course, with the new equipment comes new training. A representative from Rosenbauer began conducting training for three sessions of 18 firefighters plus one firefighter training officer on Wednesday, Aug. 8, and will continue the training through Friday.
“We expect to actually put the truck in service shortly after the firefighter’s training is complete,” said Galloway.
While the equipment and building are property of the Valdosta Regional Airport, they pay the city of Valdosta to man their operations.
“We only have two firemen on duty at one time,” said Galloway.
The new ARFF vehicle is just one part of the airport’s five year rolling capitol plan. The next project will be a new ARFF station to accompany the new vehicle.
“We are going to open the bids next week and we’re hoping construction will start this fall,” said Galloway.
The building that currently houses communication and navigation equipment will be torn down after equipment is moved to another building. A new ARFF station will be built in it’s place and the old ARFF station will be torn down.
“It’s quite involved,” said Galloway.
Galloway estimates that the construction will take approximately 15 months.
For live footage of the ARFF vehicle training, go to the Times website and watch the VDT Weekend Update.
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