BBCC Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Training begins May 1

BBCC Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Training begins May 1

MOSES LAKE — Spring training for Big Bend Community College’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Training program (ARFF) kicks off Thursday, May 1. Dozens of firefighters from various departments around the region and beyond will participate in live fire exercises at the ARFF facility near the college and the Port of Moses Lake.

Training will take place May 1-29.

ARFF training combines classroom instruction and live fire drills. Trainees learn search and rescue techniques, hose handling, handline and truck tactics as well as use diesel fuel and Dry Chem for a truly realistic, although very controlled, experience.

Director of Big Bend’s Center for Business and Industry Services Beth Laszlo said community members will occasionally notice smoke in the air during these live exercises. The smoke is the result of controlled training with regional Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting teams on site and not an emergency at the airport or a wildfire.

The Big Bend program is a partnership between the college, the Port of Moses Lake and the Federal Aviation Administration. Agencies throughout the Northwest and Canada have contracted with BBCC to provide this training for more than 40 years.

Last year, ARFF had firefighters from Moses Lake, Pasco and as far away as Abbotsford, Canada on site for certification and re-certification training.

Laszlo said it is essential for fire fighters who operate out of airports or who respond to calls at airports to have this type of training available.

“With Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting training certified by the FAA and provided by Big Bend Community College, you can be rest assured that IF there was an event, the first responders would be prepared to act quickly, safely and effectively,” she said. “We are always grateful to have fire fighters from across our state and region come to our facility to train and prepare for catastrophic events at airports.”

For more information on ARFF and other industry training, visit the Big Bend Center for Business and Industry Services (CBIS) website.