The search and rescue service of Rostov-on-Don International Airport (belongs to Airports of Regions Holding Company) has received two new airport fire trucks. New vehicles are based at the rescue station located in close proximity to the runway and on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Firefighting vehicles have a number of important differences from usual "urban" ones. They feature higher maneuverability and lifting capacity, carry a foaming agent and a water tank of increased capacity, have enhanced acceleration rate and are capable to release extinguishing agents while driving.
The new KamAZ-based fire trucks are equipped with modern means of extinguishing and special firefighting equipment for suppression fires on aircraft and carrying out rescue operations. An important design feature of the vehicle is a special unit – a bumper turret, which allows laying a foam strip up to 8 meters in width on the runway. Such measure can be used to minimize the damage of the aircraft structure and to reduce the probability of ignition of jet fuel in case of wheels-up landing.
In accordance with the existing regulations, Rostov-on-Don Airport is equipped for the requirements of the 7th category for firefighting, which implies that three firefighting and rescue teams are on alert around the clock and can get to any point of the runway within 3 minutes. The level of protection for rescue and firefighting of new Yuzhny Airport will meet the highest 9th category which involves five firefighting and rescue teams always on standby.
In addition, in order to practice actions of all services in the event of an emergency landing of an aircraft, Rostov Airport regularly holds rescue teams trainings.