Long Beach Airport Rolls Out New Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Vehicle

On behalf of the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Airport (LGB) recently purchased a new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, which will be operated by the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) and housed at Fire Station 16 next to the airfield.

“The City of Long Beach is constantly working to provide the best protection for residents and travelers coming into or out of our municipal airport,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.

The ARFF vehicle is a very maneuverable fire-fighting tool with rear steer capabilities and 360-degree cameras with infrared thermal imaging to help see through smoke and steam. The new vehicle is an Oshkosh Striker 6X6 model, which holds 3,000 gallons of water, up to 420 gallons of foam and 550 pounds of dry chemical extinguishing agent. It features a low attack bumper turret and a roof mounted turret capable of water dispersal at a level of 1,400 psi. It’s equipped with a fuel-efficient Scania Tier 4 Final engine.

“Firefighting and rescue technology continues to become more effective, efficient and sustainable,” said Long Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Anthony DaSilva. “We are very excited to have the most advanced tools on our side.”

The replacement is based on LBFD’s existing ARFF vehicle, which has exceeded its useful life. The total cost for the new vehicle was $1.1 million dollars, the majority of which came from Passenger Facility Charges (PFC), a fee that airline passengers pay when they purchase their ticket.

“Having this state-of-the-art, life-saving technology at Station 16, which has direct access to the airfield, provides the best protection for travelers and our community in the event of an emergency,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry.

LGB encompasses 1,166 acres and has three runways. It is unique among municipal airports for its diverse portfolio of Class A office buildings, retail, industrial facilities, a hotel and a municipal golf course.