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Rescue and firefighting services: How can you plan for a better service and run an emergency exercise that really tests contingencies?
Journal of Airport Management,
12
(3),
291-302
(2018)
Abstract
Safety and security is a primary focus of regulatory bodies in the air transport industry. One of the ways of providing safety and security at airports is the presence of an efficient and reliable rescue and firefighting service (RFFS). This can be achieved by investing in human resources, equipment and infrastructure, as well as regular testing and evaluation of airport contingencies. Having a plan is not sufficient preparedness. Even the best-written procedures must be tested to identify bottlenecks in the contingencies before an accident occurs. It is worth appreciating the fact that determining and setting up the right team responsible for testing the contingencies has a critical impact on the success of the exercise. This paper aims at exposing protocols implemented by the Ghana Airports Company Limited to enable the RFFS personnel to attain the necessary competency levels to make them efficient for all types of emergencies. These protocols include but are not limited to educational requirements, medical and physical fitness. The paper further exposes the reader to the various steps in organising realistic emergency simulation exercises and the levels of emergency exercises; namely, table top, partial and full-scale exercises. The responsibility of assisting agencies, role players and the availability of resources commensurate with the simulation exercise is also reviewed. The reader will appreciate the fact that simulation exercises are primarily focused on evaluating the procedures and not people. The paper also highlights strengths and weaknesses drawn from other large-scale emergency exercises for the benefit of the reader.
Keywords: training; contingencies; table top; partial exercise; full-scale emergency exercise; rescue firefighting service
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Charles Hanson Adu is the Group Executive for Airport Management with the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) with oversight responsibility for airport operations, commercial services, aviation security, rescue firefighting services and customer experience. He has over 16 years of experience in managing airports, crisis and disaster management. His expertise cuts across the entire aviation industry including civil aviation regulatory requirements, airline and airport operations. He has previously served in the capacity of Aerodromes Chief Fire Office and Director, Airports Operations and had oversight responsibility of the Emergency Operations Centre and airport key stakeholder activities in the facilitation process. He successfully led and coordinated the Airport Council International (ACI) APEX Safety Review Programme and the certification of the Kotoka International Airport. He serves as Africa’s representative on the ACI World Safety and Technical Standing Committee and also as the leader of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Western and Central Africa (WACAF) Aerodrome Certification team. He is also the President of the Airport Council International (ACI) Africa, Safety and Technical Regional Committee.
Benjamin Kofi Ahlijah is the Terminal Operations Manager of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). He has oversight responsibility for the operations of the airport terminals to ensure passenger processes are continuously improved through efficient operations in a safe, secure and effective manner in compliance with operational, regulatory and industry best practice. He is responsible for collaboration with airline representatives and other stakeholders, to ensure efficient passenger and baggage processing in line with best practice. Additionally, he has a background in safety and environmental management systems, incident and accident investigation, emergency response management, aerodrome certification and so on. He has over 20 years’ experience in airport and civil aviation management spanning over commercial, operational, safety, aerodrome certification, master planning, regulatory and audit aspects. He has a proven track record of developing and implementing the GACL Safety Management Systems, which has gained local and international recognition leading to various awards such as Excellence in Health Safety Environment and Quality Assurance (HSEQ) — Ghana Shippers Award and Best Improvement in Safety (under 50,000 ATMs) — ACI safety Award. He is experienced in leading transformational change in the highly regulated and technical airport environment and skillfully balancing the multiple demands for commercial viability, safety, security and excellent customer service delivery.
Samuel Otoo is the Chief Fire Officer of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture (BSc Hons Agric.), a master’s in business administration (MBA) project management option and a graduateship grade qualification with the Institution of Fire Engineers (GIFireE). Samuel started his career with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in 1993 as an instructor at the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) and rose to directing officer grade 1. He performed various operational duties until 2001 when he joined the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) as the operations manager. During this time, Samuel was deeply involved in contingency planning and full scale exercises. He was involved in emergency preparedness and response functions until 2007 when the GACL was decoupled from the GCAA. Samuel was appointed chief fire officer in 2011 and assumed the role of ensuring the provision of an effective rescue and firefighting service, which meets all statutory aerodrome licensing equipment. He currently serves on the Technical Advisory Committee offering technical advice on the functions of the GNFS. He is also a member of ACI Safety Peer Review Assessors team and took part in the ACI Safety Peer review of the Gambia International Airport in 2017.
Victor Sosu Gakpey is the Operations Manager for the Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) with the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Deputy Aerodromes Chief Fire Officer. He has 15 years of experience in rescue firefighting, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Airport emergency management and aircraft recovery operations. He has previously served in the capacity of operational shift leader for the rescue firefighting service and EOC communications officer.
Michael Mensah Omane is the Regional Airport Manager of the Tamale Airport. He has over 13 years’ experience in the aviation sector. He has rich experience in airport operations and Rescue Fire Fighting Service. He held various leadership positions at the RFFS section over six years before moving into mainstream airport operations to head Sunyani airport in 2011 and later to Tamale Airport. Michael holds Commonwealth Executive Masters in Public Administration, degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, M.Phil Degree in Industrial Sociology and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with political science from the university of Ghana, Legon, Cert ‘A’ 3yr post-sec college of education, Bechem. Professionally, he holds Diplomas in Airport Operations from ACI Academy and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He has also participated in a number of short training programs, seminars, workshops and conferences both locally and internationally, including Malaysia, Singapore and Cameroon.
Isaac Otu is currently a safety officer with the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and is responsible for the mandatory audit of the rescue firefighting service of GACL, as well as monitoring compliance of all airside operators in Ghana in accordance with the certification requirements of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority. He was a rescue firefighter for over nine years, during which time he was responsible for the development, review and periodic update of all the emergency management documentation of the RFFS and was instrumental in almost all the emergency exercises conducted by GACL. He participated in the management of two major aircraft incidents. He was instrumental in the certification and recertification process of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Ghana and has participated in Apex Peer Review Programs led by the Airport Council International. Has a level 3 certificate from the Institute of Fire Engineers and a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering.
