Real flames forge fire rescue skills at PIT
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Pittsburgh International Airport is home to one of the nation's roughly two dozen FAA Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training centers — and it's not just for local crews.
Why it matters: PIT's facility allows Allegheny County Airport Authority Fire Rescue's 51 firefighters to complete mandatory FAA training without leaving the region and draws hundreds of firefighters each year from across the U.S. and abroad, including Canada, Germany and Guam.
The big picture: At the heart of the center is a life-sized aircraft simulator that's intentionally set on fire. Crews train to extinguish the blaze and rescue passengers, using water instead of foam.
Zoom in: The simulator is designed to burn repeatedly using propane as fuel.
- Instructors throw curveballs: interior and exterior fires, blocked exits, and more.
- The goal? Put out the fire on the aircraft first, then push flames away — like using a giant leaf blower.
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Zoom out: The Allegheny County Airport Authority's fire unit serves PIT and Allegheny County airports, handling about 1,500 calls annually, including fires, accidents, medical emergencies, and special events.
What they're saying: "It's an all-hazards department," says Thomas Bonura, Allegheny County Airport Authority fire chief. "If you call 911 and you need someone with a gun, you get the police department. If you need anyone else, you get us."