At airports there is a requirement for the establishment of an emergency plan to deal with aircraft emergency situations.
As part of the plan, it is usual that in the event of an aircraft emergency, Air Traffic Control is responsible for informing Fire Service of the emergency and providing as much information as possible to enable that agency to effectively carry out its function. Therefore the link between Air Traffic Control and The Fire Service is crucial and the closest possible liaison between these two must be maintained at all times.
In emergency situations Air traffic Control maintains continuous communication with The Fire Service in order to inform them of any changes in the status of the emergency condition. Additionally ATC is also able to inform pilots of the precautionary action being taken at the airport.
Air Traffic Control informs Fire Service of the following:
- Nature of the emergency;
- Type of aircraft involved;
- Number of persons on board the aircraft including persons with special circumstances such as being immobilized, blind, deaf, physically challenged;
- Amount of fuel on board;
- Runway to be used;
- Estimated time of arrival (landing).
- The presence of any dangerous goods on board, including quantity and location if known.
