Overview

In an emergency, a military aircraft might have to land at a civilian airport, or a civilian aircraft may be forced to land at a military airfield. In each situation, emergency response personnel must be familiar with rescue procedures for the aircraft in question, regardless of origin. Their knowledge of rescue, entry, exit, shutdown, tactics, and other emergency procedures is critical to saving lives and property.

To ensure that firefighters and other responders receive the aircraft training they need, the Aircraft Familiarization and Emergency Response Procedures has been developed.

Compliant
The Aircraft Familiarization series is currently comprised of 18 aircraft and an Aircraft Technical Order Manual. It provides about 84 hours of training and helps aircraft firefighters meet the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139.319(j)(2)(ii) for Aircraft Familiarization training and FAA AC #150/5210-17, “Programs for Training of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Personnel.” This series also complies with NFPA 1003, 405, and 403. (See Appendix C for additional information about compliance.)

Course Layout and Content

Aircraft Orientation
This is the “get to know the airplane” section. The aircraft’s dimensions and its role in the fleet are discussed. The student can “walk around” the aircraft through Virtual Reality and locate features such as entry controls, auxiliary power unit exhausts, dos, hatches, cutting points and more.

• Overview
  
• Exterior of-Rescue Side
  
• Exterior Rescue Side
  
• Top View
  
• Bottom View
  
• Interior Flight Deck
  
• Interior Passenger Compartment
  
• Interior Cargo Area
  
• Exercises
  

Entry Procedures
In this module the student learns the primary and secondary entry points into the aircraft. Normal, emergency, and cut-in entry procedures are explained. Where applicable, escape procedures are also given.

• Normal Entry
  
• Emergency Entry
  
• Emergency cut-in
  
• Escape
  
• Exercises
  
• Shutdown Procedures
  

Shutdown Procedures
This module presents step-by-step shutdown procedures for engines, auxiliary power units (APU), and battery switches.

• Cockpit Safety
  
• Engine Shutdown
  
• APU Shutdown
  
• Oxygen Shutdown
  
• Exercises
  
• Aircraft Hazards
  

Aircraft Hazards
This module displays danger areas around the aircraft, including intake, radiation, exhaust, and hot brakes. Additional hazards such as batteries, oxygen, and fuel are also covered.

• Danger Areas
  
• Cargo
  
• Weapons
  
• Fuel
  
• Oxygen
  
• Batteries
  
• Hazardous Materials
  
• Exercises
  
  

On-Board Extinguishing Systems
Step-by-step operating procedures for any on-board extinguishing systems are covered in this module. These include the multiple systems installed on all large-frame aircraft. The areas affected by these systems are identified.

• Activation Procedures
  
• T-handles
  
• Nitrogen 1301
  
• Exercises
  

Benefits
Aircraft Familiarization Series is more than just another training program. The course is delivered through FireRescueWORLD.com which features automated record keeping, virtual reality, instantaneous feedback, and instruction from some of the nation’s foremost experts. The system will significantly reduce time demands on training officers. The benefits over conventional classroom training are numerous and include:

Learning Benefits

• Increased retention. Government and other industry studies have proven that student retention rates increase 30-50% through the use of interesting and engaging interactive training like Aircraft Familiarization Series. Through the use of full-motion video, audio, graphics, virtual reality scenarios, animations, tests, and games, student learning comes alive and delivers outstanding results.
  
• Reduced knowledge based training time. Each responder controls the pace of learning throughout the course. Responders can repeat any sections not understood, receiving immediate feedback. In addition, they can use the Aircraft Familiarization Series course at their convenience. These benefits ultimately will reduce training time up to 50% in comparison to conventional training methods.
  
• Practice through simulation. Through the use of virtual reality scenarios, instructors have the ability to teach physical skills in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. This process speeds skills retention and makes hands-on training more effective and efficient.
  
• Increased safety. Topics dealing with dangerous materials and procedures are presented in an interactive format, without subjecting the responder to unnecessary physical risks.
  
• Turnkey implementation. No IT headaches. Aircraft Familiarization Series does not require any programming or proprietary software. Simply load the provided CD-ROMs and begin training.
  

Benefits to the Department

• Automated record keeping. Each responder’s course records are tracked individually. Stored records reflect training duration and scores. In addition, course managers can manage and print responders’ performances.
  
• Increased Productivity. Responders can train at the station while on duty increasing the number of responders available for response while training.
  
• Reduced hazards. Conducting initial training using the interactive, scenario filled, multimedia courseware can substantially reduce safety risks, training accidents, and time lost due to training injury. Responders train in a non-threatening environment that is more conducive to learning, before they go into the field to perform hands-on training skills.
  

Cost Benefits

• Eliminates equipment and personnel travel costs. Training can be performed in house, at any station, simultaneously, eliminating the excessive costs associated with transporting equipment and personnel to a central training location.
  
• Decreased training costs. Training is available on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, resulting in little or no travel costs or overtime expenses.
  
• Reduced equipment costs. Aircraft Familiarization Series can simulate equipment that would typically be too expensive to make available to students. In addition, for firefighter training, interactive multimedia training conserves valuable fuels and firefighting agents.
  
• Reduced per-student costs. Training can be accomplished on site, thus eliminating the cost of travel and lodging for off-site seminars.
  
• Reduced instructor costs. Instructors can use their time more efficiently to provide additional remediation for slow learners or motivation for more advanced responders. They can also concentrate their efforts on mandated hands-on training exercises and other mandatory training topics.