Staffing at LRFD cause controversy

An article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette yesterday indicated that the staffing levels of the Little Rock airport fire department are not sufficient to meet the potential demands of an emergency. According to the article, staffing has been reduced from six to four since January 1. The president of the Little Rock Fire Fighters, Local 34, told the members of the Little Rock Airport Commission on Tuesday that their decision in December to reduce staffing in an effort to save $350,000 annually was  jeopardizing safety at the airport. 

The union president, Robert Morehead claims that due to vacation and sick days, there may only be one firefighter able to respond to an aircraft incident. He also claims the same situation exists when fire personnel respond to medical emergencies on the airport grounds. 

The fire station at Adams Field is part of the Little Rock Fire Department. Even if the staff at Adams Field is occupied, other LR Fire department personnel can respond from elsewhere in the city. The department says that they can have additional response crews there within 4-5 minutes. 

The interim Chief of the Little Rock Fire Department, Greg Summers,  said in a followup  interview  today that the staff level remains safe. "I wish we had 10 firefighters. But from an economic standpoint, it's not feasible and its not required." The staff remains in line with federal expectations, and in some cases, exceeds federal guidelines. 

Generally, aircraft fire suppression can be handled with one firefighter from the seat of a Striker truck equipped with specialized foam and a joystick operated cannon. The City of College Station, Texas operates in a similar manner.