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THE SALAMANDER | JULY 2018
Page 8
On May 2nd, an enthusiastic
group from the Company
mustered at Compass Centre on
the Northern Perimeter Road of
the airport at 08:30. Here we met
Gary Barthram, Senior Airport
Fire Manager, who together with
his Deputy, Mark Summerhill,
were our hosts for the visit.
In the Compass Centre we had
a tour of the multi-agency control
centre housing teams responsible
for fire, police, medical and border
control personnel. As well as the
banks of screens covering the
buildings and apron areas (mind
what you do as you pass through
the airport, you are on camera),
we were able to look out over the
northern runway to look directly
at the airport operations. It was
a spectacular vantage point, but
the view was attenuated by the
atrocious weather.
After seeing this part of the complex
operation of running a major
airport we were taken through
security and onto the Central Fire
Station. Here, Gary gave us a very
informative presentation on the fire
and rescue services on site and
the systems in place to collaborate
with neighbouring county brigades
when the need arises. As a
Category 10 airport, with over
450,000 air transport movements
and 78million passengers per year,
the Airport Fire Service has some
impressive kit, divided between the
Central Fire Station and another
at the eastern end of the airport.
Each station has two Rosenbauer
Panther foam tenders, carrying
11,500 litres of water and 1,400
litres of foam. They carry bumper-
mounted monitors and either
a roof monitor or a high-reach
extendable turret. In addition, we
saw a range of special appliances
which included a hose layer, 42m
ALP and an extending staircase -
the Rosenbauer Skystair.
We had yet another treat in
store – a visit up the 87m control
tower, where we got a 360 degree
panoramic view of the airport and
a unique view of the Central Fire
Station.
Our sincere thanks to Gary and
Mark for their splendid hospitality,
and also to Liveryman Simon
Petts, Gatwick Airport, who
helped to arrange the visit.
David Holt, PRM Committee
and Events Committee
Visit to London Heathrow
Heathrow Airport Fire and Rescue Service