AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES

2026-11-03

In January 2004 the FAA established a requirement that certified air carrier airports must provide qualified firefighters to be on site 15 minutes prior and 15 minutes after all commercial airline scheduled service . The number of firefighters is determined by the Index and type of equipment based on the airport . Additionally , the airport is seeking value - added services that could be offered by a provider of firefighting services and those are listed below Basic Firefighting Needs Santa Maria Airport is classified an Index B airport under Federal Air Regulation ( FAR ) Part 139 . 315 . This determination is based on aircraft length and average number of daily departure of air carrier aircraft serving the Airport . According to FAR part 139 . 317 Index B requires at least : One vehicle - carrying at least 500 pounds of sodium - based dry chemical , halon 1211 , or clean agent and 1 , 500 gallons of water and the commensurate quantity of AFFF for foam production . Two vehicles - ( i ) One vehicle carrying the extinguishing agents as specified for Index B ; and ( ii ) One vehicle carrying an amount of water and the commensurate quantity of AFFF so the total quantity of water for foam production carried by both vehicles is at least 1 , 500 gallons . The airport owns two aircraft firefighting vehicles . a . The 3000 - gallon Oshkosh meets Index B requirements and can be operated by one firefighter . b . The second ( backup ) vehicle is a 1500 - gallon Oshkosh

California

2026-05-10