House Moves to Strengthen Airport Fire Fighting

September 21, 2007 – The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation strengthening current fire safety standards at airports. The FAA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2881, was passed by a vote of 267-151. As passed, the bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bring Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) standards into conformity with existing national consensus standards.

Having undergone the last significant revision in 1988, current ARFF standards do not reflect the reality of modern fire fighting or modern air travel. Although the IAFF has been working with the FAA to update ARFF standards administratively since 2000, the FAA has been slow to advance these efforts beyond their initial stages.

The IAFF, working closely with Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), overcame significant obstacles to passage of its language, including intense opposition from airport industry groups.

Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) proved instrumental to the IAFF’s success, championing the cause from the beginning and using his position on the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to ensure the provision was included in the FAA Reauthorization Act.

The IAFF must next continue its lobbying efforts in the Senate, which is expected to consider the legislation in the near future.