Page 8 - July 2017

THE SALAMANDER | JULY 2018
Visit to London Heathrow Heathrow Airport Fire and Rescue Service
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 78 million 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.
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David Holt, PRM Committee and Events Committee