Cedar City Fire Department Hosts Essential Aircraft Rescue And Firefighting Training

The Cedar City Fire Department recently participated in its annual Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) training at Cedar City Regional Airport, welcoming firefighters from St. George, Vernal, and Moab. This FAA-required training is essential for fire departments overseeing commercial flight landings and takeoffs, ensuring they are prepared to respond to emergencies. Cedar City proudly hosted this year's week-long event, with many of the training props traveling nationwide to make the experience more accessible for local teams.

Cedar City Fire Department staffs all commercial flights at the regional airport, and this training equips firefighters with hands-on experience in aircraft safety and emergency response. The training includes live fire simulations, allowing participants to work with fire behavior and familiarize themselves with aircraft components. As Firefighter Chad Barnes noted, "We talk about 'throttles, bottles, and batteries' all the time, and it was good to see that firsthand."

With the third busiest commercial Airport in the state, Cedar City takes every precaution to provide guests and residents with the safest experience possible through continuing education and training for Airport staff and first responders.

Key partnerships with Southern Utah University's Aviation program and SkyWest Airlines added depth to the training. The use of donated aircraft, including a CRJ200 from SkyWest and a helicopter from Erickson Inc., provided valuable real-world scenarios. Cedar City’s airport, the third busiest in Utah, underscores the need for this specialized training.

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The ARFF program is crucial to maintaining safety standards, especially in regions with frequent flights. By staying up-to-date with the latest emergency procedures and equipment, Cedar City ensures that first responders are always ready. Through continuing education and collaboration with aviation partners, the city demonstrates its commitment to providing a safe experience for both residents and visitors.