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 The fire service at Wick airport is part of Highlands
And Islands Airports services. Fire services are an important part
of the work of the airports. Wick has a fire team of 16 men
providing cover in two shifts of eight men. When the airport is
closed four men are on call at all times for out of hours emergencies.
To ensure maximum efficiency the firemen run training
exercises on a weekly basis and work on maintain equipment ready for any
emergency. The station has its own maintenance mechanic in a fully
equipped workshop adjoining the fire station.
 Apart from the two huge fire tenders with there are a
range of other vehicles used by the fire service for safety at the
airfield. These include vehicles capable of moving large quantities
of snow or for spraying de-icer before planes land in freezing conditions.
A recent upgrade top the runways involved the installation of a complete
new drainage system to capture the chemicals sprayed onto the runway.
the chemicals that drain off from the runway with rainfall are
collected in two large sumps at either end of the airfield. These
measures are designed to prevent chemicals draining into water courses and
contaminating land around the airfield. Every two or three
months the tanks where the chemicals are stored are collected by tanker
for removal and treatment.
 Training is a major and ongoing part of the job and at
one side of the airfield lies an impressive range of training materials
including a huge simulated plane that also double as helicopter.
This piece of equipment can simulate many types of fire that might be
encountered by a plane. Old cars are used to practice cutting
techniques to free passengers trapped. Real fires using a variety or
burning material are routinely set on fire for the fire-fighters to
practice their techniques. This includes entering a burning plane
filled with smoke. Parts of the simulator are set at angles
evoking the scenes they might meet. Engine fires, tyre fires and
fuels tanks ablaze are just some of the types of fire that are put out in
practice sessions every week. The fire tenders can shoot huge
quantities of foam onto fires in less than 90 seconds. Speed is
essential and the drills are designed to hone the firemen to perfection in
all of the rescue techniques as well as putting out any fire or dealing
rapidly with any crash situation. The hope is they will never be
needed for real.
Rescuing people from burning planes is another of the
scenarios. Breathing apparatus is used and the men are well used
learning how and where to enter aircraft both through the main doors and
hatches located beneath many aircraft. |
