Close proximity of an airport to surrounding communities and the possibility of an off-airport aircraft incident give rise to the need for mutual aid emergency agreements as part of any community's emergency plan. NFPA 424: Guide for Airport/Community Emergency Planning describes elements that require consideration before, during, and after an emergency has occurred, including command, communication, and coordination functions.
This best-practice document outlines commonly used practices in the airport rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) community. It incorporates NIMS terminology and NIMS positions, and features photos, tables, charts, and artwork reflecting what is commonly used in the industry today. It also identifies the need to include as many available resources that are at the disposal of the incident commander and to ensure the coordination with local medical facilities.
Changes bring NFPA 424 current with the field:
The 2018 NFPA 424 is a valuable tool for departments that provide ARFF Services at airports as well as fire departments that might be used as a mutual aid department in the event of an aircraft accident/incident